Exercise apparatus

Abstract

Exercise apparatus including a guide and a sliding member slidably mounted to the guide, the sliding member including an operating member for allowing a user to apply first and second operating forces to the sliding member to thereby selectively slide the sliding member in respective first and second directions and a resistance mechanism for generating respective first and second resistive forces when the sliding member is moved in the first and second directions.

1 .- 51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . Exercise apparatus including: (a) a guide; (b) a sliding member slidably mounted to the guide, the sliding member including an operating member for allowing a user to apply first and second operating forces to the sliding member to thereby selectively slide the sliding member in respective first and second directions; and (c) a resistance mechanism for generating respective first and second resistive forces when the sliding member is moved in the first and second directions. 
     
     
         53 . Apparatus according to  claim 52 , wherein a magnitude of at least one of the resistive forces is related to at least one of: (a) a magnitude of the respective operating force; and (b) a position at which the respective operating force is applied to the operating member. 
     
     
         54 . Apparatus according to  claim 52 , wherein sliding the sliding member in the first and second directions provides exercise and return strokes respectively, and wherein, at least one of: (a) the second resistive force is less than the first resistive force; and (b) the second resistive force is the same as the first resistive force. 
     
     
         55 . Apparatus according to  claim 52 , wherein the resistance mechanism includes first and second brakes mounted to at least one of the sliding member and the guide; optionally wherein at least one of the first and second brakes includes an aperture for receiving at least one of the guide and the sliding member; optionally wherein the first and second brakes are arranged so that the first and second brakes are urged against at least one of the guide and the sliding member at least when the first operating force is applied to the operating member; optionally wherein the first brake acts as a fulcrum so that the second brake is urged against at least one of the guide and the sliding member at least when the first operating force is applied to the operating member; optionally wherein a magnitude of at least the first resistive force is dependent on relative distances between at least one of: (a) the first and second brakes; and (b) the first brake and a position at which the first operating force is applied to the operating member. 
     
     
         56 . Apparatus according to  claim 55 , wherein a position of the first and second brakes is adjustable to thereby adjust at least one of the resistive forces; optionally wherein the brakes are made of a low friction material, including at least one of: (a) a self lubricating plastic; (b) nylon; (c) polyester; (d) polyethylene; and (e) polyfluoroethylene; optionally wherein a magnitude of at least one of the resistive forces depends on at least one of: (i) a brake material; (ii) a brake coefficient of friction; and (iii) a size of the first and second brakes. 
     
     
         57 . Apparatus according to  claim 52 , wherein a position of the operating element relative to the sliding member is adjustable. 
     
     
         58 . Apparatus according to  claim 52 , wherein the guide includes at least one of: (a) a linear guide rail; and (b) a curved guide rail; optionally wherein the guide includes a pair of parallel rails. 
     
     
         59 . Apparatus according to  claim 52 , wherein the guide includes a sliding surface for engaging brakes of the resistance mechanism in use; optionally wherein the apparatus includes: (a) two guides; and (b) two sliding members, each sliding member being slidably mounted to a respective guide to thereby allow a user to apply operating forces to each sliding member independently; optionally wherein the apparatus includes: (i) two guides; and (ii) a sliding member slidably mounted to the two guides; optionally wherein each sliding member is adapted to allow a user to independently exercise a respective limb. 
     
     
         60 . Apparatus according to  claim 52 , wherein the guide is removably mounted to a chair; optionally wherein the guide is pivotally mounted to a chair to allow the guide to be moved between folded and operative positions; optionally wherein the apparatus includes a control bar for stabilising the apparatus in use. 
     
     
         61 . Apparatus according to  claim 52 , wherein the sliding member includes at least one of: (a) a linear sliding rail; and (b) a curved sliding rail; optionally wherein the sliding member includes a pair of parallel sliding rails, optionally wherein the sliding member includes a sliding surface for engaging brakes of the resistance mechanism in use. 
     
     
         62 . A method of using exercise apparatus, the exercise apparatus including: (a) a guide; (b) a sliding member slidably mounted to the guide, the sliding member including an operating member; and (c) a resistance mechanism for generating respective first and second resistive forces when the sliding member is moved in first and second directions, the method including applying first and second operating forces to the sliding member using the operating member to thereby selectively slide the sliding member in respective first and second directions against the first and second resistive forces. 
     
     
         63 . A method according to  claim 61 , wherein the method includes controlling a magnitude of at least one of the resistive forces by at least one of: (a) controlling a magnitude of the respective operating force; and (b) controlling a position at which the respective operating force is applied to the operating member; optionally wherein the apparatus includes: (i) two guides; and (ii) two sliding members, each sliding member being slidably mounted to a respective guide, and wherein the method includes applying operating forces to each sliding member independently using a respective limb. 
     
     
         64 . Exercise apparatus for use in exercising devices, the apparatus including: at least two linear guide rails with sliding surfaces, which are supported by the frame, where each guide rail consisting of two parallel tubes; at least two slide members mounted onto respective guide rails for sliding there-along, each comprising the tube with a foot platform and two sliding brakes, where position of at least of one brake can be shifted along the tube; and at least one control bar with grip and exercise counting device. 
     
     
         65 . Apparatus according to  claim 64 , wherein the guide rail includes means to allow resisted linear movement of the slide member at distance of full range of user's leg extension and flexion; wherein the guide rail is sloped forward because of longer legs of rear frame than height of front frame; wherein each guide rail consists of two tubes arranged in parallel; optionally wherein the apparatus includes independent resistance mechanisms for each user's leg, allowing independent exercising of each user's leg at required distance and resistance; wherein the apparatus includes means for exercising of user's leg alternately or simultaneously; optionally wherein the sliding brakes are made from heat and abrasion resistance plastic material with low friction coefficient, including self-lubricating plastics; wherein the use of low friction material in sliding brakes are for smooth sliding of the slide member along the linear guide rail; where self-lubricating plastics in sliding brakes are for lower resistance at least at the end of exercise stroke, which corresponds to physiological drop of muscle torque at the end of exercise stroke, allowing prolonged exercises of variable intensity for general exercises, sports training, medical exercises and rehabilitation; optionally wherein each sliding brake comprise aperture corresponding to the cross-section of the guide rail; wherein the slide member is mounted onto the guide rail so that the guide rail goes through the sliding brakes inside the tube of the slide member; wherein sliding brakes are positioned in succession on the guide rail; wherein corresponding cross-sections of holes in the brakes and tubes of the guide rail ensures side-wise stability of the slide member. 
     
     
         66 . Apparatus according to  claim 64 , wherein the foot platform is attached to the tube of the slide member at forward angle and, therefore, includes means to be pushed forward by the user during exercise stroke; wherein pushing foot platform forward is transferred to push a front brake down and to push the rear brake up towards the guide rail via lever mechanism; wherein the lever mechanism includes the foot platform as an effort arm, the front brake as a fulcrum, the tube connecting brakes as a load arm and the rear brake as the load; wherein each foot platform includes a heel strap for return movement of foot platform into starting position after exercise stroke; optionally wherein the control bar is pivotally attached to the rear frame of the exercise device and includes a grip and exercise counting device; wherein the control bar includes means to be folded for storage; wherein the grip is for holding and stabilizing the exercise device by the user and counting device is for counting and programming of exercises. 
     
     
         67 . Apparatus according to  claim 65 , wherein the apparatus includes means to transfer user's muscle force into tension between sliding brakes and guide rail via lever mechanism, resulting in friction between brakes and guide rail and, therefore, frictional resistance to user's efforts, whereas sliding properties of brakes allow smooth resisted skidding of the slide member along the guide rail, allowing exercising of user's muscles; optionally wherein the apparatus includes means to vary resistance during or between exercise strokes by shifting user's foot position along the foot platform and by changing the point of force application from the forefoot to the heel, which result in shifting position of effort point in the lever and, therefore, length of the effort arm of the lever; wherein force application by user away from the tube results in longer effort arm and respective higher resistance to the movement of slide member during exercise stroke and vice verse. 
     
     
         68 . Apparatus according to  claim 64 , wherein the tube of the slide member includes at least two slots and respective bolts with nuts for at least one sliding brake, allowing changing position of at least one sliding brake inside the tube along the slots, allowing varying the distance between brakes; wherein the shorter distance between brakes results in jamming action between brakes and the guide rail, and resultant higher constant resistance to movement of slide member along the guide rail in both directions and vice versa; wherein the shorter distance between brakes increases mechanical advantage in the lever action during exercise stroke due shorter load arm of the lever and vice versa; optionally wherein the apparatus includes dual means to regulate resistance to forward exercise stroke via changing effort point on the foot platform and by varying distance between brakes; wherein the apparatus includes means to regulate resistance to return stroke by varying distance between brakes; wherein the apparatus includes means for varying ratio between resistances to exercise and return strokes, which both can be used for exercising of leg extension and flexion muscles, respectively; optionally wherein the apparatus includes means for use both exercise and return strokes for exercising, where resistance for exercise stroke exceeds resistance to return stroke. 
     
     
         69 . Apparatus according to  claim 64 , wherein the guide rail includes means to be of any length and to be positioned at any angle to allow linear movement of the slide member at any spatial direction and at any distance; wherein the apparatus allows a full range of resisted linear exercise movements by the user at any direction in order to exercise any major muscle group in the body; wherein the guide rail includes means to be attached to the seat or stand and to be combined with other exercise devices; optionally wherein the apparatus includes means to be used in reclined steppers, where independent resistant mechanisms for each user's leg allow alternate or simultaneous pushing foot platforms against variable resistance in full range of user's leg extension; wherein the apparatus includes means for the user to reproduce stepping movements in reclined position; wherein the apparatus includes means to be folded for storage via pivotal connection between guide rail and seat; wherein reclined position of users and leg suspension allows the use of device for exercising of elderly, frails and disabled people, including for medical exercises and rehabilitation. 
     
     
         70 . Apparatus according to  claim 69 , wherein the apparatus includes means to be used in hand-operated push-pull exercisers, where handles are used instead of foot platforms; wherein independent resistant mechanisms for each user's arm allow alternate or simultaneous pushing and pulling handles against variable resistances at full range of upper body extension and flexion; wherein the apparatus includes means for the user to reproduce resisted pushing and pulling movements at stationary position of the user; optionally wherein the apparatus includes means to be used in reclined steppers combined with hand-operated push-pull exercisers; wherein independent resistant mechanisms for each user's arm and leg allow alternate or simultaneous pushing and pulling foot platforms and handles against variable resistances at full range of leg and upper body extension and flexion; wherein the apparatus includes means for the user to provide total body exercising at stationary position of the user. 
     
     
         71 . Apparatus according to  claim 69 , wherein the apparatus includes means to be used total body exercise devices, including in rowing devices, where independent resistant mechanisms provide variable resistance in opposite directions for simultaneous user's leg extension and arm flexion, respectively; wherein the apparatus includes means for the user to reproduce rowing movements in stationary position of the user; wherein the apparatus includes means to be used by user's arms, where handles are attached to the slide member instead of foot platforms; optionally wherein the apparatus includes means to be used in compact ‘under-desk’ exercise devices, where independent resistant mechanisms for each user's leg allow pushing and pulling foot platforms against variable resistance in full range of user's leg extension; wherein the horizontal arrangement of guide bar includes means for the user to fully extend legs at the knee joint against resistance without lifting the knee; wherein the apparatus includes means for use of device in confounded spaces, including under desk in offices and in-cabin of cars, trains, ships and airplanes; optionally wherein the apparatus includes means to be used in vertical exercisers, where the long guide rail is positioned vertically and handles are used instead of foot platforms; wherein the apparatus includes means for the user to push up and pull down the slide member at range from ground to height of human body with uplifted arms against variable resistance; wherein the apparatus includes means for the user to reproduce resisted pushing up and pulling down movements in full range of human body reach, resembling pull-ups and weight lifting.