Multi-function Exercise Machine and Bench

Abstract

An exercise machine suitable for exercising a person's muscles contains a frame (100), a seat (102) situated over the frame, a seatback (104 or 104U), a connection mechanism (106 or 106U) for flexibly and adjustably connecting the seatback to the frame or/and the seat, and a pedaling mechanism (114 or 220) connectable to the frame and having a pair of movable pedals (140 or 224). The seatback is typically capable of swiveling. The pedals can revolve or translate back and forth. Another exercise machine contains a handle-translating mechanism (220) having a pair of handles (274) that translate back and forth. The frame, seat, seatback, and connection mechanism typically in combination with one or more pairs of handles (108, 110, 240, 242, and 252) form an exercise bench.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . An exercise bench comprising:
 a frame;   a seat situated over, and distinct from, the frame;   a seatback; and   a connection mechanism for adjustably and/or flexibly connecting the seatback to the frame or/and the seat; and   at least three pairs of handles, each pair of handles connected to the frame, the seat, the seatback, or/and the connection mechanism at generally symmetrical locations on opposite sides of the frame, the seat, the seatback, or/and the connection mechanism, each pair of handles separate and distinct from each other pair of handles.   
     
     
         26 . A bench as in  claim 25  wherein the handles in at least one of the pairs are turnable. 
     
     
         27 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A bench as in  claim 25  wherein one of the pairs of handles is connected to the seatback at generally symmetrical locations on opposite sides of the seatback. 
     
     
         30 . A bench as in  claim 25  wherein the seatback has (i) a first transverse edge closest to the seat and (ii) a second transverse edge opposite the first edge and thereby farthest from the seat, one of the pairs of handles being connected to the seatback at generally symmetrical locations on opposite sides of the seatback in close proximity to its second edge. 
     
     
         31 . A bench as in  claim 25  further including at least one additional pair of handles connected to the frame, the seat, the seatback, or/and the connection mechanism at generally symmetrical locations on opposite sides of the frame, the seat, the seatback, or/and the connection mechanism. 
     
     
         32 . A bench as in  claim 25  further including at least two additional pairs of handles connected to the frame, the seat, the seatback, or/and the connection mechanism at generally symmetrical locations on opposite sides of the frame, the seat, the seatback, or/and the connection mechanism. 
     
     
         33 . A bench as in  claim 25  wherein the frame comprises a main frame structure and a pair of frame legs connected to the main frame structure. 
     
     
         34 . A bench as in  claim 33  wherein the frame legs are flexibly connected to the main frame structure, each frame leg switchable between (a) an extended position in which extended-position surface area of that leg substantially contacts the underlying surface and (b) a retracted position in which retracted-position surface area of that leg substantially contacts the underlying surface such that the main frame structure is farther from the underlying surface when the legs are in their extended positions than when the legs are in their retracted positions. 
     
     
         35 . A bench in  claim 33  wherein:
 the main frame structure has a front end and a back end opposite the front end; 
 a front one of the frame legs is flexibly connected to the main frame structure at or near its front end; and 
 a back one of the frame legs is flexibly connected to the main frame structure at or near its back end. 
 
     
     
         36 . A bench as in  claim 33  wherein each frame leg comprises:
 a pair of elongated side members, each having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the side members being flexibly connected to the main frame structure at their 
 a cross member connected to the side members.