WO1999034875A1

WO1999034875A1 - Body mounted muscle exercise apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO1999034875A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/026762
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tory Allman; Joseph A. Dias; John T. Loechner; John R. Nottingham
Original assignee: Laurcath Corp
Current assignee: Laurcath Corp
Priority date: 1998-01-05
Filing date: 1998-12-17
Publication date: 1999-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 2000-07-05
Also published as: AU1920899A

Abstract

A body mounted exercise device primarily for use in exercising the muscles of the buttocks, but adaptable to also exercise the thighs and arms. In one embodiment the device comprises two hinge plates (124, 126) which are each secured outwardly and to one side of a respective hip joint of a human user, each of the hinge plates being provided with a pivot arm (148, 175) pivotable about the hinge plate. For exercise of the muscles of the buttocks, the pivot arms extend downwardly, engaging the backs of the legs of the user between the hip joints and knees. The exercise device is provided with adjustable biasing means (156) which exert a forwardly directed biasing force on the backs of the legs, the biasing force opposing rearward pivoting of the legs about the hip joints. The exercise device of this invention provides a simple and effective means of exercising the buttocks, effectively being used during normal walking.

Description

BODY MOUNTED MUSCLE EXERCISE .APP.ARATUS AND METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to body mounted muscle exercise apparatus for humans, and more particularly to such a device which is useful for exercising the muscles of the buttocks, to assist in firming and shaping these muscles.

BACKGROUND ART

Numerous types of exercise devices are available for exercising various muscles of the human body. For example, stationary weight machines and free weights can be used to firm, shape and increase the size of arm and leg muscles. Other body mounted devices are available for firming and shaping thigh muscles. However, the fact exists that certain muscles of the human anatomy are difficult to isolate and exercise using currently known methods and equipment, whether body mounted or stationary.

For example, it is difficult to isolate the muscles of the buttocks region during exercise and no body mounted devices are currently known to exist which are specifically directed to exercising the muscles of this region. One apparatus wWch is body mounted is shown in Sidorenko, Soviet Union patent 820,855. The purpose of the device shown in this reference is to exercise a person's legs and it does so with a torsion bar connected to the leg engaging means. The resistance to motion of one leg is provided by the position of the other leg, coupled through the torsion bar. There is no biasing means in this reference to provide independent, adjustable resistance to the motion of the user's leg or other extremity.

Taylor U.S. patent 2,267,848 is also body mounted, but its purpose is to assist, not resist, motion of a patient's legs. The apparatus shown in this patent is not an exercise device but its purpose is to provide support for normal body locomotion where a person's legs have become at least partially disabled DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

To at least partially overcome the disadvantages of previous muscle exercise devices and exercise methods, the present invention provides a body mounted muscle exercise apparatus which exercises the muscles of the buttocks region, and a method of exercising with such an apparatus. The exercise apparatus of this invention is also adaptable for use in the exercise of other muscles, such as arms and thighs.

In one embodiment this muscle exercise apparatus includes a hinge plate to be positioned at or near a hip joint of a human user when exercising the muscles of the buttocks, with a pivot arm pivoting on the hinge plate and extending from the hinge plate along a leg of the user. The pivot arm follows the rearward and forward pivoting of the leg about the hip joint, being independently biased to engage and oppose rearward pivoting of the leg, during which the muscles of the buttocks contract. During rearward pivoting of the leg about the hip joint, the exercise apparatus of this invention forces the muscles of the buttocks to work harder to pivot the leg rearwardly against the forwardly biased pivot arm. Thus, the device effectively isolates and exercises the muscles of the buttocks, helping to firm and shape them.

In one of its aspects, the present invention provides a muscle exercise apparatus which offers resistance to rearward pivoting of either leg independently about its hip joint. The apparatus can be configured to provide resistance to movement for one or both legs. The resistance of one does not depend upon the resistance or the movement of the other leg.

A preferred exercise apparatus according to the present invention is a body mounted device secured to the body of the user with the hinge plate outwardly and to one side of the hip joint. It is preferred that the device be light in weight so it can be comfortably worn on the user's body. The apparatus can be used in a number of ways to exercise the buttocks. However, the preferred mode of exercising using this invention is by normal walking, which produces the desired rearward pivoting of the leg about the hip joint against the adjustable bias. Walking is preferred because it is simpler and less strenuous than some exercises and can be done while the user is performing other activities, such as housework. .Although the exercise apparatus of the present invention is particularly directed to use for exercising the muscles of the buttocks, it is preferred that it be adaptable to be employed in the exercise of other muscles, such as the thighs and arms The ability to perform a variety of exercises makes the present invention particularly well suited for physical therapy, which generally involves strengthening a number of different muscle groups This exercise apparatus can be adapted for use as a thigh exerciser by reversing the bias of the pivot arm to oppose foi"ward pivoting of the leg To be used as an arm exerciser, the hinge plate is preferably secured at or near the hip joint as with leg exercises, but with the extremity engaging arms extending upwardly instead of downwardly The adjustable biasing mechanism is preferably adapted to oppose movement of the forearm about the elbow, both toward the chest (bending the elbow) and away from the chest (straightening the elbow)

In the embodiment of the apparatus which is body mounted and has two hinge plates, it is preferred that the securing mechanism comprises a rigid U-shaped harness having a central bight located between the two ends of the harness In this embodiment, one hinge plate is attached to each end of the harness, with the central bight curving around the user's lower back The rigidity of the harness helps to keep the hinge plates from moving during pivoting of the legs about the hip joints Preferably, a belt is attached by adjustable straps to each of the hinge plates The combination of the central bight and the straps between the belt and hinge plates provides sufficient stability to the hinge plates to prevent unwanted motion of the apparatus during pivoting of the legs

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which

Fig 1 is a front perspective view of an exercise device of the present invention as worn by a human user,

Fig 2 is a front, exploded, perspective view of the exercise device of Fig 1,

Fig 3 is a side view illustrating the device of Fig 1 worn by a human user, the left leg of the user being at a first position during normal walking motion,

Fig 4 is a side view similar to Fig 3, with the left leg being at a second position, Fig. 5 illustrates a rear view of the device of Fig. 1 as worn by a human user and shows the skeletal structure of the user's pelvic region;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another, preferred, embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable bias, rotational connection between the hinge plate and the pivot arm of the Fig. 6 embodiment;

Fig. 7A is a perspective view of the inside of the top portion of the pivot arm of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 8 shows in fragmentary perspective form a preferred embodiment of the adjustment mechanism for mounting the hinge plates to the harness of the Fig. 6 embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the muscle exercise apparatus of the present invention, as used for exercising the muscles of the buttocks, is now described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5.

Figs. 1 and 3 illustrate a human user 10 having a torso 12, waist 14, lower back 16. buttocks 18, left leg 20, right leg 22, left knee 24 and right knee 26. Fig. 5 illustrates the skeletal structure of the pelvic region of the user. Shown are left hip joint 21 at the upper end of left leg 20 and right hip joint 23 at the upper end of right leg 22. Hip joints 21 and 23 join legs 20 and 22 to pelvic bone 25. Both of the hip joints comprise a ball and socket joint. In left hip joint 21, ball 27 rotates in socket 29 during pivoting of the left leg. Similarly, ball 31 rotates in socket 33 during pivoting of the right leg about right hip joint

23.

Figs. 1 and 5 illustrate hip axis H of the user. This hip axis is defined as an axis passing centrally through both hip joints 21 and 23 of the user and is also the axis about which each leg pivots forwardly and rearwardly about its corresponding hip joint. As shown in Fig. 1, secured to the user is body mounted muscle exercise apparatus

28 according to the present invention, having left hinge plate 30 and right hinge plate 32. The left hinge plate is positioned outwardly and to the left side of the left hip joint 21 (not shown in Fig. 1) of the user. Similarly, right hinge plate 32 (shown in rear view Fig. 5) is positioned outwardly and to the right side of the right hip joint (not shown in Fig. 1) of the user. The terms "left" and "right" as used herein are defined as they would be by a user wearing apparatus 28. Left pivot arm 34 is secured to left hinge plate 30 for pivoting relative thereto. Corresponding right pivot arm 36 is pivotably secured to right hinge plate 32.

With further reference to Fig. 1, left hinge plate 30 is provided with outwardly extending flange 54. Right hinge plate 32 is provided with a similar flange (not shown).

Flange 54 preferably limits the degree of rotation of pivot arm 34. For example, in apparatus 28, flange 54 limits the forward pivoting of pivot arm 34. Preferably flange 54 allows pivot arm 34 to engage leg 20 throughout substantially its entire normal range of forward and rearward motion. First or proximal end 42 of left pivot arm 34 is secured to left hinge plate 30 by means of pivot pin 38 which is attached to the left hinge plate. A similar arrangement exists at right hinge plate 32, with first or proximal end 44 of right pivot arm 36 being secured to right hinge plate 32 by means of pivot pin 40.

The axes of rotation of arms 34 and 36 about respective pivot pins 38 and 40 are ' preferably substantially parallel to hip axis H in normal use. More preferably, the axes of rotation of arms 34 and 36 are substantially coincident with hip axis H, the hip axis passing substantially centrally through pivot pins 38 and 40.

As shown in Fig. 1, left pivot arm 34 preferably extends from its first end 42 on left hinge plate 30 along the side of left leg 20 to its second or distal end 46. This second end of pivot arm 34 preferably curves rearwardly from the side of leg 20 toward the rear of the leg. Second end 46 of pivot arm 34 carries engagement hook 50 extending laterally inwardly from the second end and engages the rear of left leg 20 between left hip joint 21 and left .knee 24 of the user. The engagement of the hook 50 is more clearly shown in the rear view of Fig. 5. Although not shown in Fig. 1, right pivot arm 36 preferably extends from first end

44 on right hinge plate 32 along the side of right leg 22 to its second or distal end 48, which preferably curves rearwardly in a fashion similar to the second end of the left pivot arm. Second end 48 of right pivot arm 36 carries engagement hook 52 extending laterally inwardly from the second end to engage the rear of right leg 22 between right hip joint 23 and right knee 26. Although apparatus 28 shown in Figs. 1-5 engages the user's legs by means of engagement hooks 50 and 52, other types of engagement elements may be used. For example, second ends 46 and 48 of pivot arms 34 and 36 may each carry an engagement mechanism in the form of a cuff which extends completely around leg 20 or 22. The cuff could be adjustable in circumference.

The following discussion focuses primarily on the left side of apparatus 28, and it is to be understood that the right side operates in an identical fashion. It should also be understood that each side functions independently so it is possible that the exercise apparatus of this invention could be made to exercise the muscles on only one side of the user.

In order to exercise the muscles of the left side of the buttocks, left pivot arm 34 must be forwardly biased, so that second end 46 of the left pivot arm is urged to move forwardly with the engagement hook 50 exerting a forwardly directed force against the back of left leg 20. To provide this foiv ard force, a biasing mechanism is provided to urge the left pivot arm to pivot about hinge plate 30 (clockwise in Fig. 1).

Many different types of biasing mechanisms may be employed, and Figs. 1-4 illustrate a particular example comprising removable and replaceable resilient elastic band 56 extending between support pin 58 located on the hinge plate and support pin 60 located on first end 42 of left pivot arm 34. The biasing mechanism is not shown in Fig. 5 for purposes of simplicity.

Other types of biasing mechanisms which could be used, include a coil spring acting on first end 42 of pivot arm 34, or a torsion spring positioned around pivot pin 38 on the underside of pivot arm 34. An example of a spring biasing device is discussed with respect to the embodiment of Figs. 6-8. It is preferred that the user be able to adjust the amount of biasing force so that apparatus 28 is suitable for different users having different levels of fitness or strength. Additionally, when exercising the thighs or the arms the required levels of resistance will likely differ. The use of elastic band 56 as shown in Fig. 1 is convenient because it permits the easy substitution of another elastic band. In this way, the user may substitute other elastic bands requiring different amounts of force to cause them to stretch. The higher the amount of force required to stretch the elastic band, the greater the biasing force exerted on leg 20 by engagement hook 50.

In Fig. 1, user 10 is shown in the standing position. In this position, elastic band 56 is in a partially stretched state, so that some amount of biasing force is being exerted on the back of leg 20 by pivot arm 34. When used in this manner it is preferred that the biasing force be exerted against the back of leg 20 throughout its normal range of forward and rearward motion, particularly while the user is walking or standing, so that hook 50 engages the back of leg 20 throughout substantially its entire normal range of forward and rearward pivoting about left hip joint 21. In order to achieve maximum benefit from the apparatus of this invention, it is preferred that hinge plates 30 and 32 be securely held in place outwardly and adjacent to hip joints 21 and 23 of the user. Further, it is preferred that hinge plates 30 and 32 be retained with their respective pivot axes substantially parallel to hip axis H. It is more preferred that the pivot axes be substantially coincident with hip axis H, in which case the axes of rotation of pivot arms 34 and 36 about hinge plates 30 and 32 will be substantially identical to the axis of forward and rearward rotation of legs 20 and 22 about their respective hip joints 21 and 23. When the pivot axes are substantially coincident with hip axis H, maximum benefit may be derived from apparatus 28. Further, with axial coincidence, engagement hooks 50 and 52 will not move along legs 20 and 22 as pivot arms 34 and 36 pivot about the pivot axes but will remain engaged at the same locations on the backs of legs 20 and 22, enhancing the comfort of the user. However, it is to be understood that it is not necessary that the apparatus pivot axes be coincident or parallel to the hip axis for the user to derive a benefit from apparatus 28.

There are any number of ways in which the hinge plates can be secured and retained in position so that their pivot axes are substantially parallel to hip axis H of the user. As shown in the apparatus of Figs. 1-5, this securing and supporting of the hinge plates is accomplished by means of harness 62 and belt 70, which are most clearly shown in the exploded view of Fig. 2. Harness 62 is preferable U-shaped, comprising left end portion 64 and right end portion 66 which are connected by central bight 68 between the ends. Left liinge plate 30 is rigidly attached to left end 64 of the harness, while right hinge plate 32

(not shown in Fig. 2) is rigidly attached to right end 66 of the harness. Hinge plates 30 and 32 may either be integrally formed as part of harness 62 or may be separately formed and then rigidly secured to harness ends 64 and 66 by any suitable method of attachment, including glue, bolts, rivets, snap fasteners, or any combination thereof. The particular method of securing the hinge plates is unimportant as long as they are substantially prevented from moving relative to the ends of harness 62 during normal use. They could be removable and replaceable. Harness 62, hinge plates 30 and 32, and pivot arms 34 and 35 are preferably made from a rigid thermoplastic material.

Harness 62 is secured to the user with the ends located outwardly and to one side of the joints 21 and 23 of the user. Central bight 68 curves around the lower back of the user. Since the lower back is higher than the hip joints, the harness preferably slants downwardly from central bight 68 to ends 64 and 66. This is clearly illustrated in Fig. 3, showing a side view of apparatus 28 as worn by a user.

Belt 70 is preferably provided to retain the harness in its proper position and to allow for adjustability of the apparatus for differently sized users. As shown in Fig. 2, belt 70 preferably comprises two parts, firstly strap 110 which extends completely around waist

14 of user 10 and which is adjustably fastened at its ends by buckle 112. Secondly, padded portion 108, preferably wider than strap 110, is provided to increase the comfort of the user.

Padded portion 108 preferably is comprised of resilient foam rubber covered by a fabric, belt strap 110 being attached to the padded portion by means of rivets or by sewing, for example. Belt strap 110 is preferably attached to the outward facing side of padded portion 108, with the padded portion contacting the body of the user.

As shown in Fig. 2, the most rearward portion of central bight 68 of the harness has extension 90 extending upwardly from the central bight. This extension is preferably integrally formed as a part of the harness from the same rigid, thermoplastic material as the harness. Upward extension 90 of the central bight engages the lower back of the user, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Since the integrally formed harness and extension are preferably comprised of a rigid thermoplastic material, the engagement of extension 90 against the lower back provides back support to the user during use of apparatus 28.

Upward extension 90 is attached to belt 70 as shown in Fig. 3. From Fig. 2 it can be seen that the most rearward portion of padded portion 108 of the belt is preferably wider than its forward most parts. The width of the rearward part of the padded portion is preferably substantially the same as the height of upward extension 90 of bight 68. The upward extension is preferably fastened to belt 70 so as to substantially prevent motion of harness 62 vertically and laterally relative to the belt.

One preferred method of attaching the rearward portions of belt 70 to upward extension 90 is by the use of rivets or bolts. In this case, holes are preferably provided in both the upward extension and the rearward portion of the belt to accommodate the rivets or bolts. Three holes 92, 94 and 96 are shown in Fig. 2 on upward extension 90, which line up with holes 98, 100 and 102, respectively, in belt 70. Fig. 5 illustrates rivets 118, 120 and 122 provided through these holes to join the extension and the belt. To allow harness 62 to slope downwardly from the lower back to the hip joints of user, apparatus 28 is preferably provided with straps 72 and 74 extending between belt 70 and hinge plates 30 and 32, respectively. These straps are preferably adjustable in length so that the device may be comfortably worn by different users having different distances between the waist and the hip joints. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, straps 72 and 74 are adjustable by means of adjusting buckles 76 and 78, by which the lengths of the straps may be altered. The various adjustments available in the apparatus of this invention permit the apparatus to be accommodated to substantially any size or shape user, with placement of the hinge plate axes on the user's hip axis.

Straps 72 and 74 are preferably attached to the insides of ends 64 and 66 of the harness and outside of belt 70. Fig. 2 illustrates right strap 74 attached to right end 66 by means of rivet 80. The upper ends of strap 72 and 74 are provided with holes 82 and 84, to line up with holes 86 and 88, respectively, of belt 70. A rivet or bolt 114 is preferably provided through aligned holes 84 and 88, and a rivet or bolt 104 (shown in Figs. 3 and 4) is preferably provided through holes 82 and 86. Straps 72 and 74 are preferably able to swivel about the points of attachment to harness 62 and belt 70, to aid in adjusting to users of different dimensions.

These straps and extension 90 of bight 68 also assist in maintaining the desired position of hinge plates 30 and 32 during use of the apparatus. As the user's leg forces pivot arm 34 to pivot rearwardly about its pivot axis, elastic band 56 is stretched. This produces a force on hinge plate 30. To counteract this force during rearward motion of the leg, extension 90 on bight 68 exerts a forwardly directed force on the lower back of the user and straps 72 and 74 exert an upwardly directed force on hinge plates 30 and 32.

A preferred method of using apparatus 28 for exercising the muscles of the buttocks 18 will now be described. Figs. 3 and 4 show the full range of motion of left leg 20 of the user during wall ing. For convenience, a description of the method of use relative to the right leg 22 is omitted from this discussion. Fig. 3 illustrates the user wearing apparatus 28, with left leg 20 being at a first position during normal walking motion, where the position of the left leg immediately after the user has stepped forward with that leg is shown. In this position, engagement hook 50 of pivot aim 34 engages the back of the left leg and exerts at least some biasing force forwardly against the rear of the leg. Therefore, elastic band 56 must be at least partially stretched when left leg 20 is in the position shown in Fig. 3, since when elastic band 56 is completely relaxed, no biasing force will be produced and exerted against the leg by pivot arm 34.

After the user steps foi^*ward with the left leg that leg begins to pivot rearwardly about hip joint 21 as right leg 22 comes forward. Fig. 4 illustrates substantially the maximum degree to which the left leg may pivot rearwardly about left hip joint 21 during normal walking movement. In the position shown, right leg 22 has stepped foiv ard while the user is pushing back on the left leg. In this position, the biasing force produced by elastic band 56 is at a maximum since pivot arm 34 is at the position of maximum rearward pivoting relative to hinge plate 30. Elastic band 56 is shown in Fig. 4 as being longer than in Fig. 3, meaning it is more stretched in that subsequent position.

In order to swing the left leg rearwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4, the muscles of the buttocks necessarily contract. Because the rearward pivoting of the left leg is resisted by the forwardly directed biasing force produced by the stretching of elastic band 56 and exerted by pivot arm 34, the muscles of the buttocks must overcome this biasing force to pivot the left leg rearwardly. The additional exertion of the buttocks muscles in overcoming the biasing force results in strengthening of those muscles, leading to firming and shaping of them. Therefore, the apparatus of the invention provides an effective means of exercising the muscles of the buttocks, conveniently during normal walking motion of the user. However, it is to be understood that it is not necessary for the user to walk while wearing this exercise device in order to derive a benefit. Any form of movement whereby the legs are pivoted rearwardly is sufficient.

Two alternative motions for exercising the muscles of the buttocks are "leg raises" and "lunges." To preform leg raises, the user is supported on both hands and the knee of one leg. The other leg is preferably kept straight and raised from the floor. The exercise comprises pivoting the raised leg upwardly against a downwardly directed biasing force exerted by apparatus 28. This movement is equivalent to the user pivoting the leg rearwardly while standing. In lunges, the user wearing this exercise apparatus steps foiward with one leg while keeping the other leg stationary. The stationary leg pivots rearwardly about the hip joint during the lunging motion.

Additionally, the exercise apparatus of the present invention can be used on its own or in combination with other exercise equipment. For example, this apparatus may be used to exercise the buttocks while the user is using a walking machine, stair climber or crosscountry skiing simulator. This allows more muscles to be exercised simultaneously and provides extra conditioning for the muscles of the buttocks.

Exercise apparatus 28 as illustrated and as described above is also adaptable for use in exercising the thighs and arms of a user. To exercise the thighs, the biasing mechanism is reversed to exert a rearwardly directed biasing force, which opposes pivoting of a leg forwardly about its hip joint. The biasing force produced by the biasing mechanism may be reversed in a number of ways. The simplest way to reverse the direction of the biasing force is to secure apparatus 28 to the user with extension 90 on bight 68 at the front of the user and with buckle 112 of belt 70 adjacent the user's lower back. In other words, the apparatus 28 is secured to the user "backwards" relative to the configuration shown in Fig. 1. In this backward configuration, hook 50 engages the front of right leg 22 between right hip joint

23 and right knee 26. Similarly, engagement hook 52 engages the front of left leg 20 between the hip joint 21 and left knee 24.

In the alternative, an additional support pin 116 (Fig. 2) may be provided on left pivot arm 34 below pivot pin 38. If, instead of being stretched between support pins 58 and 60, elastic band 56 is stretched between support pins 58 and 116, the biasing force on pivot arm 34 will be in the opposite direction (counterclockwise in Fig. 2). With the biasing force reversed using support pin 116, the apparatus would be worn by the user as shown in Fig. 1 , with the exception that engagement hook 50 engages the front of left leg 20 between left hip joint 21 and left knee 24, and engagement hook 52 is similarly positioned with respect to the right leg. If the biasing force is reversed using third support pin 116, it is preferred that engagement hooks 50 and 52 be shaped to comfortably engage the fronts of the user's legs. This may be done in a number of ways. For example, second end 46 of pivot arm 34 may be detachable, allowing the substitution of a second end of a different shape, which is better adapted to engage the front of the leg. Alternatively, pivot pins 38 and 40 may be removable, allowing pivot arms 34 and 36 to be exchanged, with pivot arm 34 secured to right hinge plate 32 and pivot arm 36 secured to left hinge plate 30. This would produce essentially the same effect as securing apparatus 28 to the user in the backward configuration, as discussed above. Another alternative is to make hooks 50 and 52 of different shape, adaptable to equally engage the fronts or backs of the user's legs. In this alternative use, the thighs are exercised by pivoting the legs foi vardly, opposite the rearwardly directed biasing force. This may be done by any of the exercise methods discussed above in reference to exercising muscles of the buttocks, all of which comprise forward and rearward pivoting of the legs about the hip joints. In addition, the user may perform leg raises while lying face up, alternately or simultaneously raising legs 20 and 22 against the downwardly directed biasing force.

To exercise the muscles of the arms using apparatus 28, the direction of the biasing force is preferably reversible. Methods of reversing the biasing force discussed above in reference to exercising the thigh muscles may be used, with the provision of a third support pin 1 16 being most preferred. Two types of arm exercises may be performed using the apparatus of this invention. Firstly, the apparatus may be secured to the user in the configuration described above with reference to thigh exercises, with elastic band 56 stretched between support pins 58 and 116. However, instead of pivoting legs 20 and 22 foiΛvardly, the user holds engagement hooks 50 and 52 with his or her hands, and pulls upward, toward the chest, pivoting the forearm about the elbow. To perform arm exercises wherein the arms are pushed away from the chest and straightened, the elastic 56 is preferably stretched between biasing pins 58 and 60 as shown in Fig. 1. However, instead of engagement hooks 50 and 52 engaging the rear of the user's legs, pivot arms 34 and 36 are substantially parallel to elastics 56 and are directed foiwardly of the user's body, not engaging the legs. In this configuration, the user pushes downward and away from the chest on engagement hooks 50 and 52, with arms 34 and 36 preferably being pushed downwardly until the engagement hooks contact the fronts of the legs.

To adapt apparatus 28 for arm exercises, engagement hooks 50 and 52 may be replaced by hand grips or a cross bar extending between second ends 46 and 48, rigidly joining arms 34 and 36 into a U-shaped member. In the alternative, hooks 50 and 52 may serve both as hand grips and leg engagement devices, or pivot arms 34 and 36 may be adapted to receive a removable cross bar extending between them. This may be done, for example, by providing holes in second ends 46 and 48 and/or hooks 50 and 52, through which a cross bar may be inserted.

It is to be understood that, although apparatus 28 has been illustrated in the drawings as having a certain configuration of biasing mechanism with elastic 56 and support pins 58, 60 and 116, alternative configurations are possible. For example, it may preferred to provide additional or alternate support pins so that the apparatus may be used to exercise a different combination of muscle groups, or to more effectively exercise the buttocks, thighs or arms. Further, flange 54 may be eliminated or have its configuration changed to alter the degree to which pivot arm 34 may rotate with respect to hinge plate 30. The basic embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figs. 1-5, has been discussed in detail above. The presently preferred embodiment will now be described with respect to Figs. 6-8. This emdobidment is more simplified in several respects, while at the same time being more readily adjustable and adaptable for alternative uses.

Apparatus 117 comprises band 121 adapted to encircle the user's waist. For exercising the buttocks muscles, central bight portion 119 is adapted to overlie the user's lower back and upward extension 123 has the same function as does upward extension 90 in the Figs. 1-5 embodiment. Right hinge plate 124 is adjustably mounted to right strap element 125 by appropriate means such as the button and hole arrangement shown in greater detail in Fig. 8. Left hinge plate 126 is similarly mounted to left strap element 127. With conventional buckle 131, end 132 of strap element 125 can be adjustably secured to strap element 127 in a variety of positions on a variety of users. This belt adjustment can accommodate girth variations as well as the vertical position of apparatus.

The circumferential position of hinge plates 124 and 126 on apparatus 117 can also be changed by moving the engagement positions of buttons 133 in holes 134 in strap 125 (Fig. 8). Tangs 135 and 137 on flange 136 of hinge plate 124 provide a means for aligning strap element 125 on the hinge plate and ensuring that when buttons 133 and holes 134 are engaged, normally by an interference fit, they will stay engaged until purposely disengaged. The positioning and engagement of hinge plate 126 on strap element 127 function in the same manner. The hinge plates each have a pivot axis which is intended to substantially align with the user's adjacent hip joint for the purposes previously discussed. With reference to Figs. 7 and 7A, pivot axis 141 of hinge plate 124 is coincident with the axis of wedging bolt 142. The lower end of hinge plate 124 is formed with annular boss 143. On the upper end of right pivot arm 148 is annular boss 151, shaped and configured to encircle boss 143 in hinge plate 124. Projecting generally radially outwardly from depression 144 are grooves

145, 146 and 147 having shoulders 152, 153 and 154 respectively, projecting toward pivot arm 148. Arcuate notch 155 is formed in boss 151. Torsion spring 156 is formed with projection 157 adapted to engage hole 161 in upper or proximal end 162 of pivot-arm 148 so that the outer end of spring 156, which resides within the annular area or depression 158 defined by boss 151, cannot rotate with respect to the pivot arm. The other end of spring

156 is formed with shifting lever 163 which is selectively engageable in slot 145, 146 or 147 as a means of varying the bias on pivot arm 148.

The pivot assembly of Fig. 7 is assembled by confining spring 156 between end 162 of pivot arm 148 and lower end 160 of hinge plate 124 within depression 144 and between bosses 151 and 143 within depression 158. Inner boss 159 resides within opening 170 in hinge plate 143. Lever 163 resides within arcuate notch 155, being confined in one of grooves 145, 146 or 147. The length of notch 155 is sufficient to span the distance between two adjacent ones of those grooves. The assembly is completed by inserting longitudinally split shaft 165 on hub 166 through hole 167 in pivot arm end 162 and center opening 170 in boss 143. Shaft 165 is confined within boss 143 by arcuate flanges 171 on the ends of the segments of shaft 165, which are shaped and configured to expand radially outwardly after being inserted into and through boss 143. The hub assembly is finally secured together by bolt 142, preferably a hard plastic (as are most of the other parts of the apparatus) being inserted within shaft 165 in a manner to spread the finger elements of that shaft. The threads of bolt 142 engage the inside surfaces of the fingers of shaft 165, causing them to spread and secure all of the pivot assembly elements together. Arcuate notch 155 enables lever 163 to be shifted from one of grooves 145, 146 ,

147 only to the next adjacent groove. In order to move the lever to yet one more groove, pivot arm 148 must be rotated about axis 141 so that notch 155 spans the distance between the next two grooves. It is by the means of the position of lever 163 that the bias force on pivot arm 148 is adjusted. Since spring 156 is formed as an axially expanded coil it tends to push the hinge plate and the pivot arm away from each other. This same force retains lever 163 in one of grooves 145, 146 or 147 and spring pin 157 in hole 161 during normal operation.

At distal ends of pivot arms 148, 175 are laterally extending body extremity engaging bars 176 and 177, each being optionally fitted with adjustable strap elements 181, 182 and buckles 183.

For purposes of comfort to the user of apparatus 117, pads are provided. Theses are preferably a relatively soft and somewhat compressible material such as a firm foam structure. Back pad 184 is secured by appropriate means to the inside of bight portion 119 and upper extension 123. Hip pad 185 cushions the inside of flange 136 and extends downwardly somewhat to provide protection on the inside of the upper end of hinge plate

124. The same is trtie of the opposite side of the apparatus. Bars 176, 177 also optionally include pads 186 and 187.

It will be appreciated that the bias level on the pivot arms can easily and individually be adjusted by the user as desired. The apparatus of Figs. 6-8 can as easily be employed to exercise the thighs and arms in the manner described with respect to the Figs.

1-5 embodiment.

Although the invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is not intended that it be limited thereto. Rather, it is intended that the invention cover all alternate embodiments as may be within the scope of the following claims and their reasonable equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A body mounted muscle exercise apparatus for human users, said apparatus comprising: a harness (121) adapted to at least partially encircle the waist of the user; adjustable means (131, 132) for removably securing said harness to the user; at least one hinge plate (124, 126) mounted to said harness; an elongated, substantially rigid, unitary arm (148, 175) pivotably coupled at one end to said hinge plate; means (156, 157, 161, 163) connected between said hinge plate and said elongated arm for biasing said arm to oppose movement of a body extremity of the user in one direction with respect to said apparatus; cooperative means on said hinge plate (145, 146, 147), on said elongated arm (161) and on said biasing means (157, 163) to enable the force of said biasing means to be varied by the user between discrete amounts while said apparatus is secured to the user; and means (176, 177) at the opposite end of said elongated arm for engaging a body extremity of the user to be exercised by exerting force against the urging of said biasing means, said engaging means functioning with respect to the user's extremity without impeding normal bending of that extremity at any of its joints, said hinge plate, unitary arm and biasing means being a functional unit with respect to said harness to facilitate resisted exercise motion of the selected body extremity; whereby selective predetermined muscles of the user can be exercised by moving a body extremity against the resistive force of said biasing means.

2. The exercise apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said cooperative means for varying the operative force of said biasing means comprises: a spring (156) having one end secured to said elongated arm for movement therewith as said elongated arm pivots with respect to said hinge plate; a shifting lever (163) extending from the other end of said spring; and a plurality of spaced grooves (145, 146, 147) in said hinge plate configured to receive and retain said shifting lever as it is positioned by the user.

3. The exercise apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein said elongated arm is configured to prevent said shifting lever from moving a greater distance than from one said groove to the next adjacent groove.

4. The exercise apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein; said spring is a coil torsion spring; said hinge plate is formed with a boss (143) and a depression (144) around said boss, said spring residing in said depression and surrounding said boss; and said one end of said elongated arm is formed with a boss (151) shaped and configured to surround and further confine said spring.

5. The exercise apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein said spring further acts to bias said elongated arm outwardly, away from said hinge plate, thereby urging said shifting lever into the one of said grooves into which it is positioned.

6. The exercise apparatus recited in claim 1, and further comprising cooperative means (133, 134) on said harness and on said hinge plate to permit selective positional adjustments of said hinge plate on said harness and removal of said hinge plate from said harness.

7. A body mounted muscle exercise apparatus for human users, said apparatus comprising: a harness (121) adapted to at least partially encircle the waist of the user; adjustable means (131, 132) for removably securing said harness to the user; at least one hinge plate (124, 126) configured to be secured to said harness; cooperative means on (133, 134) said harness and on said hinge plate to permit selective positional adjustments therebetween and removal of said hinge plate from said harness; an elongated, substantially rigid, unitary arm (148, 175) pivotably coupled at one end to said hinge plate; means (156, 157, 161, 163) connected between said hinge plate and said elongated arm for biasing said arm to oppose movement of a body extremity of the user in one direction with respect to said apparatus; cooperative means on said hinge plate (145, 146, 147), on said elongated arm (161) and on said biasing means (157, 163) to enable the force of said biasing means to be varied; and means (176, 177) at the opposite end of said elongated arm for engaging a body extremity of the user to be exercised by exerting force against the urging of said biasing means, said engaging means functioning with respect to the user's extremity without impeding normal bending of that extremity at any of its joints, said hinge plate, unitary arm and biasing means being a functional anit with respect to said harness to facilitate resisted exercise motion of the selected body extremity; whereby selective predetermined muscles of the user can be exercised by moving a body extremity against the resistive force of said biasing means.

8. The apparatus recited in claim 7, wherein said cooperative means for varying the operative force of said biasing means comprises: a spring (156) having one end secured to said elongated arm for movement therewith as said elongated arm pivots with respect to said hinge plate; a shifting lever (163) extending from the other end of said spring; and a plurality of spaced grooves (145, 146, 147) in said hinge plate configured to receive and retain said shifting lever as it is positioned by the user.

9. The exercise apparatus recited in claim 8, wherein said elongated arm is configured to prevent said shifting lever from moving a greater distance than from one said groove to the next adjacent groove.

10. The exercise apparatus recited in claim 7, wherein; said spring is a coil torsion spring; said hinge plate is formed with a boss (143) and a depression (144) around said boss, said spring residing in said depression and surrounding said boss; and said one end of said elongated arm being formed with a second boss (151) shaped and configured to surround and further confine said spring.

11. A body mounted muscle exercise apparatus for human users, said apparatus comprising: a harness (121) adapted to at least partially encircle the waist of the user; adjustable means (131, 132) for removably securing said harness to the user; two hinge plates secured (124, 126) to said harness on opposite sides thereof; an elongated, substantially rigid, unitary arm (148, 175) pivotably coupled at one end to each said hinge plate; means (156, 157, 161, 163) connected between each said hinge plate and said elongated arm coupled thereto for biasing said elongated arm to oppose movement of a body extremity of the user in one direction with respect to said apparatus; cooperative means on said hinge plate (145, 146, 147), on said elongated arm (161) and on said biasing means (157, 163) to enable the force of said biasing means to be varied by the user between discrete amounts while said apparatus is secured to the user; and means (176, 177) at the opposite end of each said elongated arm for engaging a body extremity of the user to be exercised by exerting force against the urging of said biasing means, said engaging means functioning with respect to the user's extremity without impeding normal bending of that extremity at any of its joints, each said hinge plate, unitary arm and biasing means functioning independently of said hinge plate unitary arm and biasing means on the opposite side of said harness; whereby selective predetermined muscles of the user can be exercised by moving a body extremity against the resistive force of said biasing means.

12. The apparatus recited in claim 11 , and further comprising cooperative means (133, 134) on said harness and on said hinge plate to permit selective positional adjustments of said hinge plate on said harness and removal of said hinge plate from said harness.

13. The apparatus recited in claim 11, wherein said cooperative means for varying the operative force of said biasing means comprises: a spring (156) having one end secured to said elongated arm for movement therewith as said elongated arm pivots with respect to said hinge plate; a shifting lever (163) extending from the other end of said spring; and a plurality of spaced grooves (145, 146, 147) in said hinge plate configured to receive and retain said shifting lever as it is positioned by the user.

14. The apparatus recited in claim 13, wherein; said spring is a coil torsion spring; said hinge plate is formed with a boss (143) and a depression (144) around said boss, said spring residing in said depression and surrounding said boss; and said one end of said elongated arm being formed with a boss (151) shaped and configured to surround and further confine said spring.

15. A body mounted muscle exercise apparatus for human users, said apparatus comprising: a harness (121) adapted to at least partially encircle the waist of the user; adjustable means (131, 132) for removably securing said harness to the user; at least one hinge plate (124, 126) secured to said harness, said hinge plate having an opening (170) defining a rotational axis, said harness, said adjustable means and said hinge plate being shaped and configured to enable the user to selectively position said hinge plate on the user's body so that said rotational axis of said hinge plate permits normal movement of the body extremity to be exercised; an elongated, substantially rigid, unitary arm (148, 175) coupled at one end to said hinge plate for pivoting about said rotational axis; means (156, 157, 161, 163) connected between said hinge plate and said elongated arm coupled thereto for biasing said elongated arm to oppose movement of the body extremity of the user in one direction with respect to said apparatus; and means (176, 177) at the opposite end of each said elongated arm for engaging a body extremity of the user to be exercised by exerting force against the urging of said biasing means, said engaging means functioning with respect to the user's extremity without impeding normal bending of that extremity at any of its joints, said hinge plate, unitary arm and biasing means being a functional unit with respect to said harness to facilitate resisted exercise motion of the selected body extremity; whereby selective predetermined muscles of the user can be exercised by moving a body extremity against the resistive force of said biasing means.

16. The apparatus recited in claim 15, and further comprising cooperative means on said hinge plate, on said elongated arm and on said biasing means to enable the force of said biasing means to be varied by the user between discrete amounts while said apparatus is secured to the user.

17. The apparatus recited in claim 15, and further comprising cooperative means (133, 134) on said harness and on said hinge plate to permit selective positional adjustments therebetween and removal of said hinge plate from said harness.

18. The apparatus recited in claim 15, wherein said at least one hinge plate comprises one said hinge plate adjustably secured to said harness on opposite sides thereof.

19. A method for exercising selected muscles of human users, comprising the steps of: providing a harness (121) adjustably adapted to encircle the waist of the user; pivotably connecting at least one elongated, substantially rigid, unitary arm (148, 175) to the harness at a selected one of several positions, the elongated arm being removable from the harness; selecting a bias element (156) of the strength desired; connecting the bias element to the harness and to the elongated arm at a first position so as to independently bias the elongated arm in a preselected direction with respect to the harness; mounting the harness on the user; positioning the elongated arm to engage a body extremity; resisting by the bias element motion of the body extremity against the preselected direction; and permitting normal bending of the body extremity at any of its joints; whereby movement of the engaged body extremity against the resistance of the biased elongated arm exercises the selected muscles of the user.

20. The method recited in claim 19, and comprising the further step of adjusting by the user the bias strength by which motion of the elongated arm is resisted against the preselected direction, the adjustment being accomplished while the harness is mounted on the user.

21. The method recited in claim 19, and comprising the further step of disconnecting the elongated arm from the harness, moving it to a different location and reconnecting the elongated arm to the harness.

22. The method recited in claim 19, wherein the step of selecting the bias strength comprises moving a lever (163) connected to a bias spring from one discrete position to another.

23. A method for exercising selected muscles of human users, comprising the steps of: providing a harness (121) adjustably adapted to encircle the waist of the user, the harness having at least one elongated, substantially rigid, unitary arm (148, 175) extending therefrom and pivotably coupled to the harness; selecting bias means (156) of the strength desired; connecting the bias means to the harness means and to the pivot arms at a first position so as to independently bias the pivot arms in a preselected direction; mounting the harness means to the user; positioning the elongated arm to engage one body extremity; resisting by the bias means motion of the body extremity against the preselected direction; adjusting by the user the bias strength by which motion of the elongated arm is resisted against movement in the preselected direction, the adjustment being accomplished while the harness is mounted on the user; and permitting normal bending of the body extremity at any of its joints; whereby movement of the engaged body extremity against the resistance of the biased elongated arm exercises the selected muscles of the user.

24. The method recited in claim 23, and comprising the further step of disconnecting the elongated arm from the harness, moving the elongated arm to a different location and reconnecting the elongated arm to the harness.

25. The method recited in claim 23, wherein the step of selecting the bias strength comprises moving a lever (163) connected to a bias spring from one discrete position to another.

26. A method for exercising selected muscles of human users, comprising the steps of: providing harness means (121) adjustably adapted to encircle the waist of the user; pivotably connecting a pair of elongated, substantially rigid, unitary arms (148, 175) on opposite sides of the harness and extending therefrom; selecting bias elements (156) of the strength desired; connecting a bias element between the harness and each elongated arm at a first position so as to independently bias each elongated arm in a single preselected direction; mounting the harness to the user; positioning each pivot arm to engage a body extremity; resisting by the bias force motion of the body extremity against the preselected direction; and permitting normal bending of the body extremity at any of its joints; whereby movement of the engaged body extremity against the resistance of the biased elongated arms exercises the selected muscles of the user.