Automated and portable pilates reformers

Abstract

An automated reformer with a gear-based resistance system, comprising a worm wheel, worm shaft, and gear box, wherein the resistance exerted on the carriage as it moves along the length of the bed frame can be automatically adjusted by the user using a controller. One embodiment including a folding carriage, featuring one or more linear actuators which allow users to adjust the angle of incline of the back support platform, leg support platform, and/or head support of the carriage via a dashboard or remote control.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable reformer apparatus for performing Pilates exercises comprising:
 a frame comprising a first platform, a second platform, and a third platform, the first platform and the third platform configured to fold relative to the second platform;   a foot rest rotatably coupled to the frame;   a carriage bed coupled to the frame and configured to slide relative to the frame; and   a resistance system coupled to the frame and to the carriage bed and comprising at least one tension band, the resistance system configured to apply a resistance force to the carriage bed when the carriage bed is translated in a direction away from the foot rest;   wherein the portable reformer apparatus is configured to change from an operable position in which exercises are performed to a storage position in which the portable reformer apparatus is stored during periods of non-use.   
     
     
         2 . The portable reformer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first platform is configured to fold flat against a first side of the second platform and the third platform is configured to fold flat against a second side of the second platform opposite to the first side. 
     
     
         3 . The portable reformer apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the foot rest is rotatably coupled to the first platform, the foot rest configured to rotate into a gap between the first platform and the third platform when the portable reformer is in the storage position. 
     
     
         4 . The portable reformer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first platform has a first length, the second platform has a second length, and the third platform has a third length;   an overall length of the portable reformer apparatus is approximately equal to or greater than a combination of the first length, the second length, and the third length; and   a folded length of the portable reformer apparatus is approximately equal to the second length.   
     
     
         5 . The portable reformer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the resistance system further comprises at least one tension selector, the at least one tension selector comprising a handle projecting outwardly from the frame, the at least one tension selector configured to adjust the resistance force. 
     
     
         6 . The portable reformer apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the tension selector is positioned in an adjustment slot of the second platform, the adjustment slot comprising a plurality of selector positions corresponding to different resistance levels of the resistance force. 
     
     
         7 . The portable reformer apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein each selector position comprises a hook shape. 
     
     
         8 . The portable reformer apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein a first end of at least one tension band is connected to the at least one tension selector, and a second end of the at least one tension band is connected to the carriage bed. 
     
     
         9 . The portable reformer apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein one or more roller guides are connected to the frame, the at least one tension band routed over the one or more roller guides. 
     
     
         10 . The portable reformer apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the frame comprises a hollow rectangular shape and the at least one tension band and the one or more roller guides are positioned inside a hollow cavity of the frame. 
     
     
         11 . The portable reformer apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the carriage bed comprises at least one tension lock, the at least one tension lock extending into the frame and connected to the at least one tension band. 
     
     
         12 . The portable reformer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the carriage bed comprises a plurality of rollers configured to be received in wheel guides in the frame to guide the carriage bed in a linear direction. 
     
     
         13 . The portable reformer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the carriage bed comprises a pair of shoulder rests configured to move from a stored position to a deployed position, the shoulder rests extending away from the carriage bed in the deployed position. 
     
     
         14 . The portable reformer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first platform, the second platform, and the third platform comprises a removable cover member. 
     
     
         15 . An automated reformer comprising:
 a base frame having a first end and a second end;   a carriage coupled to the base frame and movable along the length of the bed frame, comprising:
 a back support platform pivotably coupled to the carriage, 
 a head rest, 
 a leg support platform pivotably coupled to the carriage, and 
 a fixed platform positioned between the back support platform and the leg support platform; 
   a first linear actuator coupled to the back support platform and arranged to exert a force on the back support platform relative to the carriage wherein the force causes the back support platform to rotate relative to the carriage to achieve a desired inclined position;   a second linear actuator coupled to the leg support platform and arranged to exert a force on the leg support platform relative to the carriage wherein the force causes the leg support platform to rotate relative to the carriage to achieve a desired inclined position;   a control system communicable with the first linear actuator and the second linear actuator, wherein the control system is configured to control the first linear actuator to adjust the angle of incline of the back support relative to the carriage and to control the second linear actuator to adjust the angle of incline of the leg support relative to the carriage.   
     
     
         16 . The automated reformer of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a gear-based resistance system comprising:
 a worm wheel rotatably mounted to the underside of the carriage, 
 a gear box, 
 a worm shaft having a first end coupled to the gear box and second end rotatably coupled to the base frame, and 
 a resistance control communicable with the gear box configured to vary the resistance exerted by the gear box on the carriage as the carriage is moved along the length of the bed frame by a user. 
   
     
     
         17 . The automated reformer of  claim 16 , wherein the resistance control is mechanically coupled to the gear box via a cable, and movement of the cable causes the resistance to vary. 
     
     
         18 . The automated reformer of  claim 16 , wherein the resistance control is electronically coupled to the gear box. 
     
     
         19 . An automated reformer apparatus comprising:
 a base frame;   a carriage movable positioned on the base frame for performing Pilates exercises; and   a push knob assembly coupled to the base frame and the carriage, the push knob configured to change a resistance force applied during movement of the carriage relative to the base frame, the push knob assembly comprising:
 at least one spring coupled to the carriage; and 
 at least one push knob, the push knob configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position, the push knob coupled to the spring when in the extended position and disengaged from the spring when in the retracted position. 
   
     
     
         20 . The automated reformer apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the push knob assembly comprises five or more springs and fifteen or more push knobs.