EXERCISE EQUIPMENT

Abstract

An exercise apparatus may include a first horizontal bar, a second horizontal bar, a titled body supporting unit, a supporting assembly and an adjusting unit. In one embodiment, both the first horizontal bar and second horizontal bar are located at a rear portion of the exercise equipment, so the user can fully extend his arms and stretch the back muscle and cervical spine when grasping the horizontal bar. The adjusting unit is used to adjust the titled angle of the titled body supporting unit. The user can hold either the first or second horizontal bar and lay the body on top of the titled body supporting unit, such that the titled body supporting unit can sustain a substantial portion of the user's weight to enable the user to lift the body with the arms holding on the horizontal bar, even though the user is elder or overweight.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 (e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/333,561, filed on May 9, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment, and more particularly to exercise equipment that allows the user to conduct stretching exercise for the user's cervical spine and back muscle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There has been a growing awareness in recent years that physical exercise is important to mental and physical health and fitness. It is now generally believed that a conditioning program should entail exercise of a wide variety of muscles of the body and should also condition the heart and lungs, i.e., provide aerobic benefits.

[0004] The use of home exercise equipment is becoming wide spread as the public has increasing concern about their physical well being. Many different types of home exercise devices are known including treadmills, bicycles, weight lifting equipment, etc. Among the more basic and inexpensive types of exercise equipment is known as the horizontal bar, which can be used to perform a variety of exercises.

[0005] Different types of horizontal bar are well known in the art. The devices range from horizontal bars provided as a part of fairly complex resistance training apparatus to function as a stand-alone unit. These stand-alone units generally comprise vertically extending posts having a horizontal bar extending therebetween and secured to the posts by various means. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,642,278 teaches a horizontal bar extending across and between two vertical extension members and connected thereto by U-shaped bolt means extending through the equally spaced holes in each vertical extension member to support each end of the bar as shown in FIG. 1.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,636 to Garcia discloses a portable exercise apparatus includes a hollow central bar member and telescopic end portions operably insertable therein as shown in FIG. 2. Such telescopic end portions allow the central bar member to be securely engaged between a pair of vertical members. A plurality of spring members are disposed within the hollow portion of the central bar member and provide resistive force for assisting to maintain the telescopic end portions at stable positions during operating conditions. The central bar member further includes a plurality of apertures spaced along an outer surface thereof and for receiving a plurality of fastening members therethrough so that a plurality of handle members can be selectively positioned along the length of the central bar member.

[0007] Normally, when the user uses the exercise equipment including the horizontal bar, the user's body has to be in an upright position. Namely, the body of the user has to be substantially perpendicular to the horizontal bar. However, it is very difficult for elder or overweight people to exercise with the horizontal bar because it is difficult for them to lift their body up in this upright position. Also, it is difficult for the user to stretch both the cervical spine and back muscle when the body is in a substantially upright position. Therefore, there remains a need for a new and improved exercise apparatus to overcome the problem presented above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In one aspect, an exercise apparatus may include a first horizontal bar, a second horizontal bar, a titled body supporting unit, a supporting assembly and an adjusting unit. In one embodiment, the first horizontal bar is located below the second horizontal bar. The adjusting unit is used to adjust the titled angle of the titled body supporting unit.

[0009] The supporting assembly may include a pair of the vertical posts and a base to support the entire structure of the exercise apparatus. The supporting assembly may further include a lower supporting unit located at the base on both sides of the body supporting unit. One end of the lower supporting unit is secured on the base, and the other end thereof is pivotally connected to the lower portion of both sides of the body supporting unit. The supporting assembly may further include an outer supporting unit on both sides of the exercise apparatus. In one embodiment, the outer supporting unit may have a first end detachably secured on the vertical post, and a second end pivotally secured on the base. It is important to note that both the first horizontal bar and second horizontal bar are disposed behind the vertical post, so when the user wishes to grasp either the first or second horizontal bar, the user's arms and body can be fully extended, and the back muscle and cervical spine can be fully stretched.

[0010] It is also important to note that the supporting assembly may further include a bar supporting unit on each vertical post extending toward the rear side of the exercise apparatus. In one embodiment, the bar supporting unit may include a plurality of positioning groove to secure the horizontal bar disposed therein. In one embodiment, the second horizontal bar is disposed in the positioning groove and the user can adjust the position of the second horizontal bar to fully stretch his/her back muscle and cervical spine.

[0011] The exercise apparatus may further include a securing unit to secure a head supporting unit. In one embodiment, the securing unit is located on the second horizontal bar, and the head supporting unit can be hang on both sides of the securing unit. In another embodiment, the head supporting unit can be made by resilient materials, so the user's head can be easily disposed therein. The head supporting unit may include a first supporting unit and a second supporting unit. In one embodiment, the first supporting unit may be used to support around the user's chin and the second supporting unit may be used to support around the upper portion of the user's head. It is important to note that the first and second supporting units are adjustable to fit the size of the user's head. Furthermore, the first and second supporting units can be used to share a portion of the user's weight, so when the user grasps the horizontal bar, the arms can be relaxed to a certain extent.

[0012] The exercise equipment can be folded to minimize its size, so when it is not in use, the user can easily store it. The user can first detach the outer supporting unit from the vertical post and the adjusting unit can be loosened between the vertical post. It is noted that the base may have a first base element and a second base element, which are pivotally connected with each other. When the exercise equipment is folded, the first base element can be lifted in a counterclockwise manner, so the body supporting unit can be pushed toward the vertical post to substantially minimize the size of the exercise equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art disclosing an exercise equipment including a horizontal bar extending across and between two vertical extension members.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art disclosing a portable exercise apparatus includes a hollow central bar member and telescopic end portions operably insertable therein.

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of the exercise equipment in the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a front schematic view of the exercise equipment with the head supporting unit in the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a lateral schematic view of the exercise equipment in the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a lateral schematic view of the exercise equipment in the present invention when it is folded.

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of a user wearing the head supporting unit and exercising on the exercise equipment in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently exemplary device provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be prepared or utilized. It is to be understood, rather, that the same or equivalent functions and components may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0021] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the exemplary methods, devices and materials are now described.

[0022] All publications mentioned are incorporated by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the designs and methodologies that are described in the publications that might be used in connection with the presently described invention. The publications listed or discussed above, below and throughout the text are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

[0023] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a", "an", and "the" includes reference to the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the terms "comprise or comprising", "include or including", "have or having", "contain or containing" and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0024] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the embodiments. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0025] In one aspect, referring to FIGS. 3 to 7, an exercise apparatus 300 may include a first horizontal bar 310, a second horizontal bar 320, a titled body supporting unit 330, a supporting assembly 340 and an adjusting unit 350. In one embodiment, the first horizontal bar 310 is located below the second horizontal bar 320. The adjusting unit 350 is used to adjust the titled angle of the titled body supporting unit 330. More specifically, one end of the adjusting unit 350 is pivotally connected to the backside of the body supporting unit 330, and the other end thereof is secured between the vertical posts 341.

[0026] The supporting assembly 340 may include a pair of the vertical posts 341 and a base 342 to support the entire structure of the exercise apparatus 300. The supporting assembly 340 may further include a lower supporting unit 343 located at the base 342 on both sides of the body supporting unit 330. One end of the lower supporting unit 343 is secured on the base 342, and the other end thereof is pivotally connected to the lower portion of both sides of the body supporting unit 330. The upper portion of the body supporting unit 330 is pivotally connected to the vertical post 341. The supporting assembly 340 may further include an outer supporting unit 344 on both sides of the exercise apparatus 300. In one embodiment, the outer supporting unit 344 may have a first end 3441 detachably secured on the vertical post 341, and a second end 3442 pivotally secured on the base 342. It is important to note that both the first horizontal bar 310 and second horizontal bar 320 are disposed behind the vertical post 341, so when the user wishes to grasp either the first or second horizontal bar, the user's arms and body can be fully extended, and the back muscle and cervical spine can be fully stretched.

[0027] It is also important to note that the supporting assembly 340 may further include a bar supporting unit 345 on each vertical post 341 extending toward the rear side of the exercise apparatus 300. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bar supporting unit 345 may include a plurality of positioning groove 3451 to secure the horizontal bar disposed therein. In one embodiment, the second horizontal bar 320 is disposed in the positioning groove 3451 and the user can adjust the position of the second horizontal bar 320 to fully stretch his/her back muscle and cervical spine.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the exercise apparatus 300 may further include a securing unit 360 to secure a head supporting unit 370. In one embodiment, the securing unit 360 is located on the second horizontal bar 320, and the head supporting unit 370 can be hang on both sides of the securing unit 360. In another embodiment, the head supporting unit 370 can be made by resilient materials, so the user's head can be easily disposed therein. The head supporting unit 370 may include a first supporting unit 371 and a second supporting unit 372. In one embodiment, the first supporting unit 371 may be used to support around the user's chin and the second supporting unit 372 may be used to support around the upper portion of the user's head as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. It is important to note that the first and second supporting units 371 and 372 are adjustable to fit the size of the user's head. Furthermore, the first and second supporting units 371 and 372 can be used to share a portion of the user's weight, so when the user grasps the horizontal bar, the arms can be relaxed to a certain extent.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the exercise equipment 300 can be folded to minimize its size, so when it is not in use, the user can easily store it. The user can first detach the outer supporting unit 344 from the vertical post 341 and the adjusting unit 350 can be loosened between the vertical post 341. It is noted that the base 342 may have a first base element 3421 and a second base element 3422, which are pivotally connected with each other. When the exercise equipment 300 is folded, the first base element 3421 can be lifted and rotated in a counterclockwise manner as shown in FIG. 6, so the body supporting unit 330 can be pushed toward the vertical post 341 to substantially minimize the size of the exercise equipment 300.

[0030] In one embodiment, the user can hold the first horizontal bar 310 and lay the body on a top surface of the titled body supporting unit 330, such that the titled body supporting unit 330 can sustain a substantial portion of the user's weight to enable the user to lift the body with the arms holding on the first horizontal bar 310, even though the user is elder or overweight. Also, since the first horizontal bar 310 is located behind the vertical post 341, the user's arms can be fully extended, and the back muscle and cervical spine can be fully stretched. As discussed above, the head supporting unit 370 may be provided to share a portion of the user's weight, so the user's arms can be relaxed to a certain extent.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 7, the second horizontal bar 320 is disposed higher and further outside from the vertical post 341 to increase the loading of the user's exercise. As discussed above, the bar supporting unit 345 has a plurality of positioning grooves 3451, so the second horizontal bar 320 can be moved along the bar supporting unit 345 according to the preference of the user. The further the second horizontal bar 320 moves towards the outer edge of the bar supporting unit 345, the more the user's arms can extend.

[0032] Having described the invention by the description and illustrations above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but includes any equivalents.

Claims

1. An exercise equipment comprising at least one horizontal bar, a titled body supporting unit, and a supporting assembly, wherein the supporting assembly has a pair of vertical posts and a base to support the exercise equipment, and an upper portion of the titled body supporting unit is pivotally secured on each of the vertical posts, and the horizontal bar is disposed behind the vertical posts, namely on an opposite side of the titled body supporting unit, so when the user grasps the horizontal bar, the user's arms can be fully extended, and the user's back muscle and cervical spine can be stretched.

2. The exercise equipment of claim 1, further comprising an adjusting unit to adjust a tilted angle of the titled body supporting unit.

3. The exercise equipment of claim 1, wherein a the supporting assembly further includes a lower supporting unit located at the base on both sides of the body supporting unit; one end of the lower supporting unit is secured on the base, and the other end thereof is pivotally connected to a lower portion of both sides of the body supporting unit.

4. The exercise equipment of claim 1, wherein the supporting assembly further includes a bar supporting unit on each vertical post extending toward the opposite side of the titled body supporting unit, and the bar supporting unit has a plurality of positioning grooves thereon.

5. The exercise equipment of claim 2, wherein the supporting assembly further includes a bar supporting unit on each vertical post extending toward the opposite side of the titled body supporting unit, and the bar supporting unit has a plurality of positioning grooves thereon.

6. The exercise equipment of claim 4, wherein the horizontal bar is configured to be disposed in one of the positioning grooves and the user can move the horizontal bar along the bar supporting unit according to the user's preference.

7. The exercise equipment of claim 5, wherein the horizontal bar is configured to be disposed in one of the positioning grooves and the user can move the horizontal bar along the bar supporting unit according to the user's preference.

8. The exercise equipment of claim 4, further comprising a head supporting unit on the horizontal bar to support the user's head, wherein the head supporting unit includes a first supporting unit used to support around the user's chin and a second supporting unit used to support around the upper portion of the user's head.

9. The exercise equipment of claim 7, further comprising a head supporting unit on the horizontal bar to support the user's head, wherein the head supporting unit includes a first supporting unit used to support around the user's chin and a second supporting unit used to support around the upper portion of the user's head.

10. The exercise equipment of claim 9, wherein the first and second supporting units are used to share a portion of the user's weight, so when the user grasps the horizontal bar, the arms can be relaxed to a certain extent.

11. The exercise equipment of claim 1, wherein the base has a first base element and a second base element, which are pivotally connected with each other, and when the exercise equipment is folded, the first base element is configured to be lifted and rotated in a counterclockwise manner, and the titled body supporting unit can be moved toward the vertical posts to minimize the size of the exercise equipment.

12. The exercise equipment of claim 9, wherein the base has a first base element and a second base element, which are pivotally connected with each other, and when the exercise equipment is folded, the first base element is configured to be lifted and rotated in a counterclockwise manner, and the titled body supporting unit can be moved toward the vertical posts to minimize the size of the exercise equipment.