Multi-functional exercise machine

Abstract

A machine for concurrently exercising one or more of a user's muscle groups, the machine having a base having front and back ends, one or more linear slide rails, a user support and an engagement member for the user's hands or feet. The user support slides while pivoting during the exercise motion such that the location and angle of the user support is dictated by the linkage mechanism that positions and connects the user support relative to the other parts of the machine. The user support can be caused to move by the engagement member being acted upon by the user's feet only, by the user's hands only or a combination of the user's feet and hands concurrently during the exercise.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-function exercise machine comprising:
 a) a stationary main frame having a front end and back end;   b) a single plane stationary linear support rail connected to the main frame that supports a sliding or rolling traveling member;   c) a traveling member engaging the linear support rail for movement in a fixed linear path along the linear support rail;   d) a user support pivotally connected directly to the traveling member;   e) a user engagement means connected to the main frame for engagement by a user's hands or feet while exercising; and   f) a linkage mechanism having a pivotal connection to at least one portion of the user support and having at least one operative connection to at least one of the user engagement means, the main frame, and the traveling member, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the user support is pivotally connected to the traveling member proximal to one end of the user support and connected to the linkage mechanism proximal to an opposite end of the user support such that both connected ends of the user support support a substantial amount of a user's weight during at least a portion of the exercise motion. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the user engagement means is a lever arm pivotably mounted to the main frame proximal to the opposite end of the main frame from the user support, whereby concurrent urging of the lever arm by a user towards the user support and urging of the user support by the user towards the lever arm creates a concurrent exercise motion of a user's upper and lower body muscle groups. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine of  claim 3 , wherein the user engagement and the user support are mechanically linked and when the machine is activated by a user, the user engagement and the user support move in unison, wherein movement of either the user engagement or the user support causes the other to move simultaneously, thereby allowing a user's upper and lower body muscle groups to work concurrently against a common resistance or load. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine of  claim 3 , wherein the lever arm is movable between a first at rest position and a second fully activated position and can be maintained at any position between the first at rest position and the second fully activated position. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine of  claim 3 , wherein the user support is movable between a first at rest position and a second fully activated position and can be maintained at any position between the first at rest position and the second fully activated position. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine of  claim 3 , further comprising a resistance or assistance mechanism for adding additional resistance or assistance to a user during the exercise motion. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the resistance or assistance mechanism is rigidly connected to the lever arm. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the resistance or assistance mechanism is rigidly connected to the user support. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the resistance or assistance mechanism is pivotably attached to the main frame. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise machine of  claim 10 , wherein the resistance or assistance mechanism is slidably connected to the lever arm and mechanically linked by a linkage mechanism to the user support, whereby pivoting of the lever arm slidably engages the resistance or assistance mechanism causing the resistance or assistance mechanism to pivot and act upon the linkage mechanism causing the user support to slide forward towards the lever arm and front of the user support to pivot upwards into an increased vertical angle. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine of  claim 11 , wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a first linkage having a first end and a second end and a second linkage having a first end and a second end, wherein:
 the first linkage is connected at the first end of the first linkage to the resistance or assistance mechanism and the first linkage is connected at the second end of the first linkage to the first end of the second linkage, the second linkage is connected at the first end of the second linkage to the second end of the first linkage and the second linkage is connected at the second end of the second linkage to or operatively proximal to the user support,   whereby when the lever arm is moved in a direction towards the user support, and slidably engages the resistance or assistance mechanism, the user support is moved by the linkage mechanism towards the lever arm and a front end of the user support is moved by the linkage mechanism upwards thereby pivoting the user support into an increased vertical angle configuration, and   whereby when the lever arm is moved in a direction away from the user support, the user support is moved by the linkage mechanism away from the lever arm and the front end of the user support is moved by the linkage mechanism downwards thereby pivoting the user support into a more horizontal or decreased vertical angle configuration.   
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine of  claim 12 , wherein the second linkage is pivotably mounted to the main frame at a location on the main frame between the lever arm and the user platform. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine of  claim 12 , wherein the second linkage has a pivot point that is located between the first end of the second linkage and the second end of the second linkage such that the second linkage is a first class lever. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine of  claim 11 , wherein the resistance or assistance mechanism is adjustably connected to the lever arm, whereby the lever arm is adjustable in distance relative to the user support in the first at rest position. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise machine of  claim 11 , wherein the resistance or assistance mechanism has a first end and a second end and may be a straight or arced or multiple shaped elongated member, and wherein the a resistance weight connects to or is loaded onto the first end of the resistance or assistance mechanism that is opposite the second end of the resistance or assistance mechanism to which second end of the resistance or assistance mechanism the user support mechanical linkage is proximally connected. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise machine of  claim 16 , wherein the resistance or assistance member is pivotably mounted to the main frame at a location between the first end of the resistance or assistance member and the second end of the resistance or assistance member such that the resistance or assistance member is a first class lever. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the resistance or assistance mechanism is selected from the group consisting of free weights, weight stacks, hydraulic devices, pneumatic devices, brake-clutch devices, elastic devices, friction devices, springs, and moment arm devices. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise machine of  claim 2 , wherein the user support also comprise a rotatable bearing operatively connected to the user support allowing the user support to rotate while sliding and pivoting creating a three dimensional exercise motion. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise machine of  claim 19 , wherein the user support is rotatable when the user support is in the first at rest position or while the machine is being activated by a user. 
     
     
         21 . The exercise machine of  claim 19 , wherein the user support comprises a locking devise to prevent the user support from rotating. 
     
     
         22 . The exercise machine of  claim 2 , wherein the user engagement member is a lever arm pivotally mounted to the main frame proximal to an opposite end of the main frame from the user support, whereby urging of the lever arm by a user away from the user support and urging of the user support away from the lever arm creates a concurrent exercise motion of upper and lower body muscle groups. 
     
     
         23 . The exercise machine of  claim 2 , wherein the user support comprises a platform to support a user's lower legs. 
     
     
         24 . The exercise machine of  claim 23 , wherein when the machine is activated by the user, the user engagement and the user support are mechanically linked by a linkage mechanism and move in unison, wherein movement of either the user engagement or the user support causes the other to move simultaneously allowing a user's upper and lower body muscle groups to work concurrently against a common resistance or load. 
     
     
         25 . The exercise machine of  claim 23 , wherein the lever arm is comprised of two elongated members rigidly joined proximal to a common pivot location, wherein
 the first member has a first end and a second end and the second member has a first end and a second end;   the first member is configured of multiple elongated shapes;   the second member is an elongated arc and is rigidly joined to the first end of the first member;   the user engagement is located proximal to the first end of the first member;   in a first at rest position the first end of the first member is located above the second end of the first member generally in a more vertical than horizontal orientation;   the second member is operatively connected to the linkage mechanism proximal to the second end of the second member;   in the first at rest position the second end of the second member is extended away from the second end of the first member and is in a more horizontal than vertical orientation; and   in the first at rest position the second end of the first member and the first end of the second member are located between the user support and the second end of the second member.   
     
     
         26 . The exercise machine of  claim 23 , wherein the lever arm is movable between a first at rest position and a second fully activated position and can be maintained at any position between the first at rest position and the second fully activated position during the exercise motion. 
     
     
         27 . The exercise machine of  claim 23 , wherein the user support is movable between a first at rest position and a second fully activated position and can be maintained at any position between the first at rest position and the second fully activated position during the exercise motion. 
     
     
         28 . The exercise machine of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the linkage mechanism operatively connects the lever arm and the user support;   the linkage mechanism comprises a single elongated rigid linear slide ram having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally connected to the front end of the user support and the second end, which is opposite the first end, being operatively connected to the second end of the second member of the lever arm; and   the linear slide ram is supported by and slides through wheels or linear bearings, wherein the wheels or linear bearings are stationary and connected to and supported by the main frame in a location between the first end of the linear slide ram and the second end of the linear slide ram, and wherein the wheels or linear bearings are located such that they do not impede movement of the linear slide ram when the machine is in the first at rest position or the second fully activated position or any position between the first at rest and fully activated position.   
     
     
         29 . The exercise machine of  claim 28 , further comprising an operative connection rigidly attached to the second end of the linear slide ram, wherein the operative connection comprises a rotating or sliding component or device that encapsulates a portion of the arced shaped elongated second member of the user engagement lever arm, wherein the rotating or sliding component or device is selected from the group consisting of wheels, roller bearings, and similar components or devices. 
     
     
         30 . The exercise machine of  claim 29 , wherein when the lever arm is pressed forward by a user, the arced shaped second member of the lever arm acts upon the operative connection located at the second end of the linear slide ram causing the linear slide ram to act upon the user support causing the user support to move in a direction away from the lever arm, whereby, when the lever arm is pulled or returned to the at rest position, the user supports moves in a direction towards the lever arm. 
     
     
         31 . The exercise machine of  claim 22 , wherein resistance is added to the exercise motion to increase the exertion of the exercise. 
     
     
         32 . The exercise machine of  claim 31 , wherein the resistance is selected from the group consisting of free weights, weight stacks, hydraulic devices, pneumatic devices, brake-clutch devices, elastic devices, friction devices, springs, and moment arm devices. 
     
     
         33 . The exercise machine of  claim 32 , wherein the resistance is connected to the user support. 
     
     
         34 . The exercise machine of  claim 32 , wherein the resistance is connected to the user engagement lever arm. 
     
     
         35 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the user support is pivotally connected to the traveling member and the linkage mechanism comprises a three bar tripod, wherein a first end of each three bars of the three bar tripod is connect to a common central floating axle and the second end of a first of the three bars pivotally connects to the main frame, a second end of a second of the three bars pivotally connects to a second location on the user support, and a second end of a third of the three bars pivotally connects to the traveling member. 
     
     
         36 . The exercise machine of  claim 35 , wherein the user engagement means is not operatively connected to the user support. 
     
     
         37 . The exercise machine of  claim 35 , wherein the user engagement means is operatively connected to the user support. 
     
     
         38 . The exercise machine of  claim 35 , wherein the user engagement means is located proximal to an opposite end of the main frame from the user support in a first at rest position. 
     
     
         39 . The exercise machine of  claim 35 , wherein the user engagement means is located proximal to the same end of the main frame as the user support in a first at rest position. 
     
     
         40 . The exercise machine of  claim 35 , wherein the user engagement means is stationary. 
     
     
         41 . The exercise machine of  claim 35  wherein the user engagement means is movable. 
     
     
         42 . The exercise machine of  claim 35 , wherein the user engagement means is adjustable in location relative to the user support. 
     
     
         43 . The exercise machine of  claim 35 , wherein the user engagement means is for a user's hands only and a user's feet are supported by a rigid support member rigidly attached to the user support frame. 
     
     
         44 . The exercise machine of  claim 35 , wherein the user engagement means is for a user's feet only and a user's hands are supported by a rigid support member or members rigidly attached to the use support frame. 
     
     
         45 . The exercise machine of  claim 35 , further comprising at least two movable user engagement means for engaging a user's feet and a user's hands concurrently during an exercise motion. 
     
     
         46 . The exercise machine of  claim 35 , wherein the traveling member travels back and forth in a single linear plane during the exercise motion. 
     
     
         47 . The exercise machine of  claim 35 , wherein the user engagement comprises a pivoting support for a user's lower legs. 
     
     
         48 . The exercise machine of  claim 35 , wherein a user's legs are extended in a first at rest position. 
     
     
         49 . The exercise machine of  claim 35 , wherein a user's legs are contracted or curled in a first at rest position. 
     
     
         50 . The exercise machine of  claim 43 , wherein a user's hands engage an operative engagement means connected to the main frame causing the user support to move from a first at rest position to a position between the first at rest position and a second fully activated position, wherein during the movement a user's lower body is supported by the user support and is not actively engaged in moving the user support. 
     
     
         51 . The exercise machine of  claim 44 , wherein a user's feet engage a foot engagement means connected to the main frame causing the user support to move from a first at rest position to a position between the first at rest position and a second fully activated position, wherein during the movement a user's upper body is supported by the user support and is not actively engaged in moving the user support. 
     
     
         52 . The exercise machine of  claim 45 , wherein both a user's hands and feet are concurrently actively engaged in moving the user support from a first at rest position to a position between the first at rest position and a second fully activated position, wherein both a user's hands and feet activate concurrently to keep the user support at any location between the first at rest position and the second fully activated position. 
     
     
         53 . The exercise machine of  claim 51 , wherein the foot engagement means is a rotatable platform with attached engagement members for securing a user's lower legs in place during the exercise motion. 
     
     
         54 . The exercise machine of  claim 53 , wherein a user pushes against a rotatable platform or pulls towards the rotatable platform during the exercise motion. 
     
     
         55 . The exercise machine of  claim 37 , wherein the engagement means for a user's hands comprises a rigid lever or levers operatively connected to the user support. 
     
     
         56 . The exercise machine of  claim 37 , wherein the engagement means for a user's hands comprises a flexible member operatively connected to the user support. 
     
     
         57 . The exercise machine of  claim 37 , wherein the engagement means for a user's hands comprises a combination of at least one rigid lever and at least one flexible member operatively connected to the user support. 
     
     
         58 . The exercise machine of  claim 35 , wherein a user mounts the user support and places a user's feet on a foot support connected to the user support, then activates a hand engagement means, thereby causing the user support to move from a first at rest to a position anywhere between the first at rest position and a second fully activated position. 
     
     
         59 . The exercise machine of  claim 35 , wherein a user mounts the user support and places a user's hands on a hand support connected to the user support, then activates a foot engagement means, thereby causing the user support to move from a first at rest to a position anywhere between the first at rest position and a second fully activated position. 
     
     
         60 . The exercise machine according to  claim 35 , wherein a user mounts the user support and places a user's hands on a hand engagement means and places a user's feet on a foot engagement means, and then concurrently activates the hand engagement means and the foot engagement means, thereby causing the user support to move from a first at rest to a position anywhere between the first at rest position and a second fully activated position.