Supportive exercise machine

Abstract

An exercise support machine configured to support at least a portion of a user's weight is provided. The exercise support machine can include a frame portion having a plurality of frame members defining an interior region of the machine. The machine can further include two vertical support members extending upward from the frame portion and a lever arm pivotally connected to the upper ends of the vertical support members. The lever arm can include a seat connected to a first end of the lever arm and positioned within the interior region of the machine. The machine can further include a lifting mechanism connected to the frame portion and the second end of the lever arm. The lifting mechanism can control the vertical movement of the seat to provide weight bearing support for the user of the machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A supportive exercise machine comprising:
 a frame portion providing a frame perimeter; and   a weight supporting portion comprising:
 a lever arm pivotally connected to at least one support column extending upward from said frame, said lever arm positioned above said frame perimeter and comprising a first end and a second end; 
 a seat connected to said first end of said lever arm; and 
 a lifting mechanism connected to said second end of said lever arm; 
   wherein said lifting mechanism is configured for restricting an upward movement of said second end of said lever arm unless a downward body weight force is applied to said seat that exceeds a variably selected body weight support force provided by said lifting mechanism;   wherein said variably selected body weight support force may be variably selected by a user of said machine.   
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1 , further comprising side supports connected to said frame portion and located along each side of said machine, each said side support comprising a handrail extending above said frame portion and a support member extending between said handrail and said frame portion. 
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a leg support member positioned above said frame portion and below said lever arm, wherein said leg support member is connected to said frame portion and configured to restrict a leg of said user from forward movement when said user is positioned on said seat. 
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a front end frame support portion comprising:
 a first vertical support column member extending upward from one side of said frame portion and a second vertical support column member extending upward from an opposing side of said frame portion;   a crossbar support member extending between and connected to said first and said second vertical support column members; and   a chest support member connected to and extending inward from said crossbar support member in a direction toward said seat, said chest support member being configured to restrict forward movement of said user when said user is positioned on said seat.   
     
     
         5 . The machine of  claim 4 , wherein a position of said chest support member is selectively adjustable in both the vertical and horizontal directions. 
     
     
         6 . The machine of claim of  1 , further comprising a first handle connected to an upper end of said first vertical support column member and a second handle connected to said second vertical support column member. 
     
     
         7 . The machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a lifting mechanism operating system connected to said machine and a machine control device connected to said machine and in electronic communication with said lifting mechanism operating system, said machine control device configured for allowing said user to set said variably selected body weight support force provided by said lifting mechanism to restrict movement of said seat. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more wheels connected to said frame for allowing said machine to move across a surface. 
     
     
         9 . The machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a handrail support member extending upward from said frame portion and a handrail connected to an upper end of said handrail support member. 
     
     
         10 . The machine of  claim 9 , wherein said handrail includes a downwardly depending extension bar slidably receivable into said handrail support member, wherein a height of said handrail is selectively adjustable by sliding said extension bar into and out of said handrail support member. 
     
     
         11 . The machine of  claim 10 , wherein said machine is configured to provide body weight support to a user when said user is using a separate exercise machine. 
     
     
         12 . A supportive exercise machine comprising:
 a frame;   at least one lever support column extending upward from said frame;   a lever arm having a first end and a second end;   a pivot connection pivotally connecting said lever arm to said at least one lever support column at an intermediate location between said first and said second ends of said lever arm;   a seat connected to said first end of said lever arm, wherein said seat and said first end of said lever arm are centrally located above said frame when said lever arm is orientated generally horizontally;   an actuator having a base portion and an extendable arm extending from said base portion, wherein said base portion is connected to said frame and said extendable arm is connected to said second end of said lever arm; and   an actuator operating device configured for operating said actuator and controlling an extension distance of said extendable arm and restricting rotation of said lever arm;   wherein said machine is configured for providing a selectively adjustable body weight support to a user seated in said seat of said machine by restricting rotation of said lever arm unless a downward force applied to said seat is greater than a body weight support force provided by said actuator.   
     
     
         13 . The machine of  claim 12 , wherein said actuator is configured for raising and lowering said seat by adjusting said extension distance of said extendable arm to pivot said lever arm about said pivot connection. 
     
     
         14 . The machine of  claim 13 , wherein said machine is configured for maintaining said seat at a fixed height until said user applies a force greater than said body weight support force to said seat. 
     
     
         15 . The machine of  claim 12 , further comprising a machine control device connected to said machine and in electronic communication with said actuator operating device, said machine control device configured for allowing said user to set a selectively adjustable body weight support amount for said machine that sets body weight support force provided to said seat. 
     
     
         16 . The machine of  claim 15 , wherein said machine control device is further configured for allowing said user to set a desired height of said seat. 
     
     
         17 . The machine of  claim 12 , further comprising selectively adjustable side supports connected to said frame on both sides of said frame, said side supports configured for assisting a user in using said machine. 
     
     
         18 . The machine of  claim 12 , further comprising a leg support member positioned above said frame and below said lever arm, wherein said leg support member is connected to said frame and configured to restrict flexion in a knee of said user when said user is positioned on said seat 
     
     
         19 . A supportive exercise machine for providing body weight support to a user in either a standing or sitting position, said machine comprising:
 a frame portion comprising:
 first and second longitudinal frame members spaced apart from one another and extending generally perpendicular to one another; and 
 a transverse frame member extending between said first and said second longitudinal frame members toward a front end of said frame, 
 wherein said first and said second longitudinal frame members and said transverse frame member form a frame perimeter defining an interior region of said machine; 
   a weight supporting lift portion comprising:
 a crossbar support member connected to and extending between said first and said second longitudinal frame members, said crossbar support member an inward spaced distance from said transverse member; 
 two support columns connected to and extending upward from said crossbar support member, said two support columns arranged with a gap located between said two support columns; 
 a lever arm extending between said two support columns and connected to said two support columns by a pivot connection located at an intermediate position along a length of said lever arm; 
 a seat connected to a first end of said lever arm; and 
 an lifting mechanism having a base portion connected to said crossbar support member and an extension portion connected to a second end of said lever arm; 
 an operating system for operating said lifting mechanism; and 
 a control device in communication with said operating system for controlling said lifting mechanism; 
   wherein said control device and said operating system is configured for selectively controlling rotation of said lever arm by controlling an elevation of said second end based on a body weight support force provided by said lifting mechanism;   wherein said body weight support force provided by said lifting mechanism corresponds to a body weight support amount applied to said seat in order to prevent a downward movement of said seat unless said user applies a downward force greater than said body weight support amount to said seat.   
     
     
         20 . The machine of  claim 19 , wherein said control device and said operating system is configured for controlling an elevation of said seat by adjusting the elevation of said second end of said lever arm.