Variable rate full body exercise system

Abstract

A housing ( 14 ) has a geometric periphery. A chamber is formed within the housing. A spring ( 26 ) is coupled within the chamber. The spring is fabricated of a composite material. The composite material includes a binder with axially aligned fibers. A handle ( 60 ) is provided exterior of the housing. A guide assembly ( 38 ) is coupled to the housing. A cord ( 52 ) passes through housing and around the guide assembly. The cord couples the handle and the spring.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise system comprising:
 a housing having a geometric periphery forming a chamber there within;   a spring coupled within the chamber, the spring being fabricated of a composite material including a binder with axially aligned fibers; and   a handle exterior of the housing, a guide assembly coupled to the housing, and a cord passing through housing and around the guide assembly, the cord coupling the handle and the spring.   
     
     
         2 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the periphery is rectangular in a picture frame configuration with the chamber having five regions, an upper region, a lower region, a left region, a right region and a central region. 
     
     
         3 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the spring includes two springs, the guide assembly includes two guide assemblies and the handle includes two handles. 
     
     
         4 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the pulley assembly includes a fair lead exterior of the housing, the fair lead having vertically spaced primary rollers with horizontal axes, the fair lead also having laterally spaced secondary rollers with vertical axes, the pulley assembly also including angularly spaced tertiary rollers with angularly oriented axes interior of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the spring is linear in configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The system as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the spring is fabricated of a composite material with an epoxy binder and axially aligned s-glass fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The system as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the composite material also includes transversely aligned s-glass fibers. 
     
     
         8 . A variable rate full body exercise system ( 10 ) for creating a resistive force for people exercising and for maintaining the resistive force linearly variable throughout use, the creating and maintaining being done in a safe, long-life, convenient and economical manner, the system comprising, in combination;
 a housing ( 14 ) having a geometric periphery forming a chamber there within, the periphery being rectangular in a picture frame configuration with the chamber having five regions, an upper region ( 16 ), a lower region ( 18 ), a left region ( 20 ), a right region ( 22 ) and an enlarged rectangular central region ( 24 ), the housing having a front face and a rear face;   a first spring ( 26 ) and a second spring ( 28 ), each spring located within the lower region of the chamber, each spring being flat and linear and fabricated of a composite material including an epoxy binder with axially aligned s-glass fibers, the first spring having a fixed end with a left threaded fastener ( 30 ) removably coupling the first spring to the housing adjacent to the left region, the first spring having a free end adjacent to the right region, the second spring having a fixed end with a threaded fastener ( 32 ) removably coupling the second spring to the housing adjacent to the right region, the first spring having a free end adjacent to the left region, optional supplemental springs ( 34 ) coupled to the first and second springs adjacent to the fixed ends to provide supplemental and increased stiffness;   a first and second guide assembly ( 38 ), ( 40 ), each guide assembly including a fair lead exterior of the housing, the fair lead having vertically spaced primary rollers ( 42 ) with horizontal axes, the fair lead also having laterally spaced secondary rollers ( 44 ) with vertical axes, the pulley assembly also including angularly spaced tertiary rollers ( 46 ) with angularly oriented axes interior of the housing, the first guide assembly being located adjacent to the upper region proximate to the left region, the second guide assembly being located adjacent to the upper region proximate to the right region, an aperture ( 48 ) in the front face of the housing between the secondary and tertiary rollers of each guide assembly;   a first cord ( 52 ) and a second cord ( 54 ), each cord having an interior end within the chamber and an exterior end exterior of the chamber, a slider ( 56 ) with a locking nut ( 58 ) adjustably coupling the interior end of each cord to an associated spring adjacent to the free end, a handle ( 60 ) removably coupled to the exterior end of an associated cord, a pedal ( 62 ) optionally removably coupled to the exterior end of each cord, each cord having an intermediate extent passing between associated primary rollers and secondary rollers and aperture and tertiary rollers;   a front and rear protective plate ( 66 ) with threaded fasteners ( 68 ) removably coupled to the front face and the rear face of the housing for safety purposes, the protective plates being fabricated of a transparent plastic material;   a carrying handle ( 72 ) secured to the frame and extending upwardly from the upper region; and   pairs of securement handles ( 76 ) secured to the frame and extending outwardly from the upper, lower right and left regions, securement straps ( 78 ) extending through the securement handles for removably coupling to recipient objects including chairs, doors, wheel chairs and the like.