CN1278752C - Exercise machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An exercise machine which includes an elongate frame (12) which forms an enclosure, a resistance assembly (44, 70, 160A, 160B, 160C, 260, 266) located at least partly in the enclosure, a support member (28) for supporting the frame at an inclined position with an upwardly facing front side and a downwardly facing rear side, a seat (16) extending from the front side of the frame at a location at which part of the frame opposes a back of a user seated on the seat, and at least a first actuator (88A, 88B, 108A, 108B, 412, 428) which is movable by the user against a first resistance force which is generated by the resistance assembly.

Description

Fitness equipment

technical field

The invention relates to a fitness apparatus.

Background technique

Exercise machines use, for example, weights, weight plates, elastic bands, springs, and the like to provide resistance against which a user can exercise. It has been found that in many of these machines the stroke length must be reasonably long as the distance the user moves his arm or leg against resistance, depending on the circumstances, and therefore the size of the exercise machine must be large.

Preferably the user experiences a substantially constant resistance over the length of the stroke. If a spring or bolt member is used to provide this resistance, it is well known that the characteristic of a spring is that its resistance increases more or less linearly with the deformation of the spring. In other words, the greater the movement of the resistance means, the greater the resistance to the movement of the user. This is of course not the desired performance.

If one or more counterweights are used to provide resistance, approximately constant resistance can be obtained over the stroke length. When exercise equipment is used by able-bodied users, the amount of weight that must be provided is considerable, and the attendant disadvantage is that the exercise equipment is not easy to transport, and inevitably the exercise equipment is very bulky and the cost of delivery to the consumer very high.

Another factor is that the positive resistance, which is the resistance exhibited by the resistance device when energy is input into the exercise machine by the user, should be as close as possible to the negative resistance caused by the energy stored in the exercise machine being released on the return stroke. These forces can only be matched to one another, at least to some extent, if friction and similar losses are minimized.

Especially for devices aimed at home users, the resistance displayed by the exercise machine can be adjusted in a relatively convenient manner. As stated, the exercise machine should be compact and lightweight, making it suitable for transport and storage, especially for home users. It is also desirable to be able to use the instrument in at least two modes, ie by pulling down on the actuating means which may be eg a handle, rod, ankle or wrist cuff or the like, against resistance, or by pulling up on the actuating means against resistance. These modes are given by way of example only, so that the exercise machine can be configured to provide resistance against any type of motion, such as pushing or turning by the user.

Contents of the invention

The present invention provides an exercise machine comprising an elongated frame with an upper end and an opposite lower end and opposite sides so as to form a housing; a resistance assembly within the housing; supporting the frame in a reclined position support member, the lower end rests on the ground in the inclined position, whereby the frame has an inclined upward-facing surface on one side and an inclined downward-facing surface on the other side; at the upper and lower ends of the frame a seat mounted on the frame extending from the inclined upward facing surface in a first operative position; at least one first handle positioned at the upper end of the frame and moved by a user on the seat; and at least one second handle positioned on the lower end of the frame and moved by a user on the seat, the resistance assembly includes a cylinder and an elongated member extending at least partially into the cylinder for reciprocating longitudinally relative to the cylinder, the cylinder is movable relative to the second member and the frame by one of the first and second handles against a first resistance generated by the resistance assembly, and the elongate member is movable by the first The other of the first and second handles moves relative to the cylinder and the frame against a second resistance generated by the resistance assembly.

Preferably the seat is movable from an operative position to a first storage position in which the seat is located on the first part of the housing.

The exercise machine includes, on the lower end of the frame, a pedal which rests on the ground in an operative position so as to receive at least one foot of a user on the seat.

The pedal is movable from an operative position to a second storage position in which the pedal is located on the second part of the housing.

The exercise machine may include at least one control device for controlling the first and second resistances. The at least one control device is mounted on the pedal.

Preferably the backrest is mounted on the frame above the seat.

The exercise machine may include at least one support extending from the upper end of the frame, and the first handle may be supported by the support, whereby a user on the seat may cause at least one handle to overcome the first resistance relative to the The support moves downward.

The exercise machine may include a first mechanical gain system coupled to the resistance assembly whereby movement of the first handle a first distance causes a corresponding movement of at least a first portion of the resistance assembly a second distance less than the first distance. With this embodiment, the resistance assembly may include first and second ends, and when at least a first portion of the assembly is moved by a first handle, the first end engages a first support on the frame and the second end engages a first support on the frame. The ends move relative to the frame.

The exercise machine may include a second mechanical gain system coupled to the resistance assembly, whereby movement of the second handle a third distance causes a corresponding movement of at least a second portion of the resistance assembly a fourth distance, the fourth distance being less than the third distance.

Description of drawings

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is the side view of fitness apparatus of the present invention under ready-to-use state;

Figure 2 is a perspective view from the front of the instrument with parts disassembled to simplify illustration;

Figure 3 shows the moving parts of the exercise machine of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows an exercise machine similar to Figure 3, which uses a resistance assembly that is different from the resistance assembly used in the apparatus of Figures 1-3;

Figure 5 is a side view of the configuration of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the connecting plate used in the configuration of Figure 4;

Figures 7 and 8 respectively represent alternative types of resistance assemblies suitable for use in the exercise apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 9 schematically represents a prior art type of resistance assembly;

Figures 10 and 11 respectively represent variations of the exercise machine in order to increase the number of exercises that can be performed with the machine; and

Figures 12 and 13 are side views showing variations of the exercise machine according to the invention, in operating and storage modes, respectively.

Detailed ways

1-3 show an exercise machine 10 according to a first form of the invention.

The exercise machine comprises an elongated frame 12 to which is attached a seat 16 on which a user may sit and on which a backrest 18 for the user's back is positioned. For storage and transportation purposes, the seat 16, generally supported by one or more struts 20, can be folded down so that it is generally parallel to the frame, while in a similar manner the backrest, supported by one or more struts 22, can be Pivot towards the frame to adopt a compact position. A structure 24 may be used on the upper end of the frame for holding means for a card bearing information on the fitness sequence.

The frame is supported in an inclined position relative to the ground 26 by downwardly depending U-shaped members 28 which are connected at pivot points 30 to brackets 32 on the rear side of the frame 12 . The U-shaped members 28 are movable inwardly toward the frame 12 for storage and transportation, or away from the frame as shown in FIG. 1 to provide maximum stable support for the frame.

The exercise machine includes pedals 36 at the bottom of the frame. The pedal forms a housing in which is located an electric motor 38 and an air pump or compressor driven by the motor and delivering air through flexible tubes 42 to a cylinder 44 supported by the frame 12 .

The exercise machine includes pedals 36 at the lower end of the frame. The pedal forms a housing in which is located an electric motor 38 and an air pump or compressor driven by the motor and delivering air to a cylinder 44 through a flexible tube 42 . The frame 12 forms a shallow enclosure 45 with opposing upper and lower ends 45B and 45C and opposing side walls 45D and 45D, and the cylinder is located within the enclosure and is supported by the frame. The cylinder is preferably positioned entirely within the enclosure such that no part of the cylinder protrudes from the frame even if it is visible from the outside.

The upper surface 46 of the pedal housing is serrated or roughened and provides an active surface against which the feet of a user positioned on the seat act.

Flexible wires 50 extend from the motor to the mains power supply, not shown. A switch 52 on the pedal 36 is actuatable by the user's foot to connect the motor 38 to mains power or to turn it off. In this way, the operation of the motor 38 can be controlled. A pressure relief valve 60 is connected to the cylinder 44 by a flexible line 62 . The pressure relief valve can also be operated by the user's foot. The user can thus turn the compressor on and thereby pressurize the cylinder 44 ; turn the compressor off, or reduce the pressure in the cylinder by actuating the valve 60 .

Cylinder 44 is connected to piston 70 to form an assembly 72 that provides resistance to the user. The method for its implementation is described below. The cylinder 44 has a lower end 74 that is sealed and mounted on a wheeled carrier 76 . Piston 70 has a piston head 78 mounted for reciprocating movement within the cylinder and a piston rod 80 extending from the head. The upper end of the rod is mounted on the upper pulley carrier 82 .

A first pulley and cable system 84 is mounted to act on the lower carrier 76 , while a second pulley and cable system 86 is mounted to act on the upper carrier 82 . System 84 includes a pair of handles 88A and 88B interconnected by a cable 90 over a series of pulleys 92A-92E. Pulley 92C is attached to carrier 76 by cables 98 passing over pulleys 100A and 100B on the carrier. The ends of the cables 98 are attached to anchor points 102 on the frame 12 .

System 86 has handles 108A and 108B respectively located on the underside of the frame of cable 110 passing over pulleys 112A-112E. Pulley 112C is attached to carrier 82 by cables 114 passing over pulleys 116A and 116B mounted on the support.

It can be seen from FIG. 2 that the piston head 78 acts only in the guide volume in the cylinder. The piston head forms notches or cutouts 120, and thus the pressure in the cylinder on one side of the piston head is the same as the pressure on the opposite side of the head.

The piston rod 80 is tubular so that its interior 122 is hollow. The plug 124 seals the upper end of the rod 80 . The lower end of the rod attached to the piston head 78 is open and forms an opening 126 which communicates the interior of the cylinder 44 with the hollow interior of the rod.

When in use as an exercise machine, frame 12 is positioned so that it has the orientation shown in FIG. 1 . Users can sit, kneel or stand while exercising. It is assumed that the user positions himself on the seat 16 with his back against the backrest 18 . The user actuates the switch 52 with one of his feet and the motor 38 starts and then drives the compressor 40 . Once the interior of cylinder 44 has been pressurized to the required air pressure, the motor is turned off. If the pressure is too high, the pressure relief valve 60 is actuated allowing air to be released from the cylinder. The user can thus adjust or control the in-cylinder pressure with relative ease using the foot operated controls 52 and 60 .

Assume that the user grasps upper handles 88A and 88B and pulls the handles downward, as indicated by arrow 130 in FIG. 3 . Due to the pulley and cable system 84, the lower carrier 76 is raised and the cylinder is raised with the piston entering the cylinder by reciprocating motion. As the rod 80 is forced into the cylinder, resistance is created which tends to counteract the movement shown. The effective volume occupied by the cylinder and the pressurized air within the hollow piston rod 80 decreases according to the extent to which the rod extends into the cylinder 44 .

If the pressure inside the cylinder 44 is relatively high, then considerable force is required to move the rod 80 into the cylinder. But due to the relatively small internal volume of the rod 80 compared to the volume of the cylinder 44, the force required to move the rod into the cylinder increases only slightly as the rod moves into the cylinder to a greater extent. In other words, over the length of travel represented by the downward movement of handles 88A and 88B, the resistance represented by piston and cylinder assembly 72 increases only slightly.

Due to the mechanical gain of system 84, the stroke length of handles 88A and 88B is four times the stroke length of the piston into the cylinder. The piston and cylinder assembly can thus be relatively compact compared to the stroke length of the exercise machine. A concomitant advantage is that as the assembly flexes, changes in pressure within the cylinder are limited due to the limited extent of movement of the piston relative to the cylinder.

During said telescopic movement of the assembly 72 , the upper end of the piston rod is supported by the carrier 82 , which in turn is supported by a support member or structure 140 on the frame 12 . On the other hand, when the handles 108A and 108B are grasped and pulled upward in the direction of arrow 142, the upper carrier 82 moves downward and is prevented from mounting on the lower carrier 76 by the support or support member 146 on the frame opposite the support member 140. The lower end 74 of the upper cylinder 44 moves.

Handles 108A and 108B exhibit the same relatively long stroke length as handles 88A and 88B compared to the stroke length of the piston into the cylinder.

Exercise machine 10 has several significant advantages. First, the user can adjust the pressure in the cylinder 44, and this means that the user can adjust the resistance according to his physical condition even when exercising. Depending on the situation, the user does not need to take his hand off the handle 88 or 108 to make the adjustment. Second, as stated, the resulting stroke length when using the handle 88 or 108 is four times the stroke length of the piston into the cylinder. This enables the exercise machine to have a compact structure.

Third, the number of pulleys in each system 84 and 86 is relatively small, and this means that frictional losses remain low. The positive resistance exhibited by the piston and cylinder assembly 72 (i.e. the force produced when the handle 88 is moved in the direction of arrow 130 or when the handle 108 is moved in the direction of arrow 142) is therefore only slightly greater than when the air in the cylinder 44 Negative resistance to the force exerted by inflation to return the piston and cylinder assembly to its extended position.

Another advantage already mentioned is that the force required to drive the piston rod further into the cylinder increases only slightly when the rod is moved into the cylinder. The force is a function of the pressure in the cylinder, and if the pressure is high enough, the relative increase in force as the piston moves into the cylinder is relatively low. The extent of the force increase is a function of the relative volumes inside the cylinder 44 and the hollow rod 80 .

The fitness equipment is light in weight. This resistance is created through the use of a cylinder and piston assembly which pressurizes the air to a selectable and controlled level which can be adjusted by the user. The exercise machine can be compactly folded into a relatively flat configuration that can be stored, for example, under a bed or behind a door when not in use. To this end, the seat and the pedals are folded from their operating position into a respective storage position in which the seat and the pedals are superimposed on the respective part of the cover. In this case, it should be seen that the compressor and motor are mounted within the housing 36 and are thus integrally associated with the exercise machine. As shown by curved arrow 158 in FIG. 1, the housing can be folded upwards into a compact storage position next to the frame if desired. The exercise machine is thus a curved self-contained unit and only needs to be connected to a power source for operation. However, the same principles can be used to set up an exercise machine, which can be one of several similar machines and pressurized by a remotely mounted compressor. The pressure in each device can be controlled by each respective user if desired.

In each case, the control is foot operated. However, hand operated, remotely actuated or voice actuated controls may also be used to adjust cylinder pressure.

4-6 show variations of the instrument 10 . A plurality of elastic bands 160 are used in place of the piston and cylinder assembly 72 . Wherein the same reference numerals are used to denote the same components.

Figure 4 shows three belts, numbered 160A, 160B and 160C, which pass over respective pulleys 162A, 162B and 162C. The ends of the straps terminate in knobs 164A-164C, respectively.

The belt can have a corresponding structure at its lower end. As shown in FIG. 4 , the lower end of the belt passes around a pulley 166 similar to pulley 162 . The lower end is attached to the plate 168 . In each case, the round head of the respective band engages with a slot 170 in the plate.

Plate 168 has pulleys 172 secured to its rear side. Inextensible cable 90 passes over pulley 92 and terminates at handle 88, similar to that shown in FIG. It is evident that pulley 172 serves the same function as pulley 92C and that plate 168 is equivalent to lower carrier 168 . When handles 88A and 88B are pulled downward, plate 168 moves upward and strap 160 is placed under tension. The lower end of the strap moves upwards while the upper end, which is secured to the knob 164, remains stationary.

In fact, the round head 164 at the upper end of the belt is fixed on a plate 176 similar to the plate 168 and functioning in the same way as the upper carrier 82 (see FIG. 6 ). A cable 178 , identical to cable 10 and terminating in handles 108A and 108B similar to those shown in FIG. 3 , passes around a corresponding set of pulleys and acts on upper plate 176 . If an upward pulling force is applied to the handle affixed to the end of the cable 178, the plate 176 moves downward, wherein the lower plate 168 remains stationary.

The exercise machine variants according to Figures 4-6 provide a double-acting arrangement in which either an upward or downward pulling or pushing force can be applied and in which the mechanical gain of the variant system is a selected value, typically 4:1. The three bands are represented in FIG. 4 . This number can be changed by the user, and the user can choose one, two or three for fitness.

A belt in the rest position shown in Figure 4 is generally relatively inextensible, and the resistance at the beginning of the degree of travel is relatively low. An adjustment mechanism may be provided wherein one or more belts may be passed around intermediate pulleys 180 and 182 as shown in the inset of FIG. 4 . If the distance between the shafts on which the respective pulleys turn can be adjusted, then the belt tension can be adjusted. This is equivalent to changing the air pressure within the piston and cylinder assembly shown in FIG. 1 .

According to another form of the invention, FIG. 7 shows somewhat schematically a resistance assembly 260 which may be used in place of the resistance assembly 72 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . Resistance assembly 260 has many similarities to assembly 72, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like parts. Assembly 260 is not shown installed in an exercise machine. It can be used in the same manner as assembly 72, as shown in Figures 1-3.

The main difference between assembly 72 and assembly 260 is that the piston rod designated 80A in assembly 260 is solid. Alternatively, if the rod is hollow, the lower end of the rod, referenced 226A, is sealed by a plate or plug, making it airtight.

The interior of the cylinder 44 is pressurized by a compressor or cylinder as described.

The piston head 78 also has a notch or cutout 120 which ensures that the pressure in the cylinder on the upper side of the piston head is the same as the pressure on the underside of the piston head.

As the piston rod moves relative to the cylinder (where the cylinder is stationary) or if the cylinder is caused to reciprocate relative to the piston rod (where the piston rod does not move), the air in the cylinder is further pressurized when the rod 80A enters the cylinder to a greater extent , while the pressure decreases slightly when the rod is retracted from the cylinder. The operation is substantially the same as the resistance assembly 72 except that the pressurized air occupies a maximum volume equal to the sum of the volume of the cylinder and the internal volume of the piston rod and a minimum volume equal to the volume of the cylinder minus the wall volume of the piston rod. For assembly 260, the maximum volume occupied by pressurized air is slightly less than assembly 72 and equal to the volume of the cylinder. The minimum volume is also slightly reduced, where this volume is equal to the cylinder volume minus the volume of the solid and sealed piston rod. But substantially the resistance assembly 260 provides the same advantages as the resistance assembly 72 .

FIG. 8 shows another resistance assembly 266 that is also identical to assembly 72 . Assembly 266 includes a first or outer cylinder 268 and a second cylinder 270 positioned inside cylinder 268 . The lower end 272 of the cylinder 270 is open and supported by a plate 274 having a plurality of holes 276 formed therein. The upper end of cylinder 270 is supported by a plate 280 that is in sealing engagement with cylinders 268 and 270 and includes a hole or plug 282 through which piston rod 284 extends. The front end 286 of the piston rod carries a piston head 288 which is in sliding and sealing engagement with an inner surface 290 of the second cylinder 270 . An outer or upper end 292 of the rod 284 engages a suitable structure 293 on the exercise machine (not shown). Similarly, the lower end of the cylinder 268 is attached to a suitable structure 295 of the exercise machine. Resistance assembly 266 may replace assembly 72 , for example, in the manner shown in FIG. 2 .

Cylinder 268 and cylinder 270 are simultaneously pressurized by pressurized air from a compressor within the pedal (not shown).

Piston head 288 performs the same function as hollow rod 80 shown in FIG. 2 or solid cylinder 80A shown in FIG. total pressurization.

The raised position of the exercise machine of the present invention should be compared to the prior art position shown schematically in Figure 9 which shows a reservoir or accumulator 300 pressurized with air from an air source 302 such as a compressor. A separate resistance cylinder 304 of relatively small construction is attached to the sump. Cylinder 304 includes a piston rod 306 with a piston head 308 mounted for reciprocating and sealing movement within cylinder 304 . From the prior art document it is seen that exercise machines using the prior art configuration shown in Figure 8 are bulky due to the need for at least two separate cylinders. If the prior art arrangements were employed in an exercise machine, it would be difficult to provide a compact exercise machine suitable for convenient transport or storage in an inoperative storage mode. But this particular purpose is achieved by the fitness machine of the invention.

With resistance assemblies 72 and 260, the effective cross-sectional area of the piston rod determines the volume of air moved when the piston rod moves into the cylinder. Referring to FIG. 2 , assuming that the piston rod has a cross-sectional area a in its hollow interior, the cylinder 44 has a cross-sectional area A. As shown in FIG. When the rod is moved to a distance 1 in the cylinder, the volume of air moved is given by the expression 1 x a. Since the cross-sectional area is significantly smaller than the cross-sectional area A of the cylinder 44, changes in the pressure in the cylinder are relatively small and the piston moves to a maximum against forces that do not increase significantly with the movement of the piston rod.

In the Figure 7 embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the solid piston rod 80A is a, and when the distance of the piston rod into the cylinder 44 is 1, the volume of moving air is a x 1, which is significantly smaller than if the piston head 78 were large and A condition that is sealingly engaged with the cylinder 44 .

In the FIG. 8 embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the piston 288 is a, and when the distance of the piston into the cylinder 270 is 1, the volume of air moved is given by the expression a×1.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 1-3, Figures 7 and 8, respectively, if a is significantly smaller than the cross-sectional area A of cylinder 44 or the effective cross-sectional area of cylinder 168, as the case may be, then when the piston is fully retracted from the cylinder Movement of the position to its fully inserted position in the cylinder has only a marginal increase in resistance. While relatively small changes in air pressure can be achieved with the prior art arrangement shown in Figure 9, this comes at the expense of at least one component that takes up additional space.

The ratio of A to a should be at least 6 but preferably higher. In this respect, a compromise must be formed between the resistance developed during the piston stroke (which is a function of the product of a and the air pressure in the cylinder) and the change in resistance.

FIG. 10 shows an exercise machine 400 generally similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-3. However, the upper end 402 of the frame includes a support 404 extending from the frame portion over the front side, ie the upwardly facing side of the frame. The support comprises two rods 406 and 408 connected at their ends to a crossbar 410 and pivotally mounted at opposite ends to the support member 140 . The handles 88A and 88B are eliminated and the end of the cable 90 extending to the handles is connected to the lateral rod 412 instead. The cable passes over pulleys 414 on the crossbar, and structures on the crossbar ensure that the cable stays securely within the pulleys. If crossbar 412 is not used, handles 88A and 88B can be retained and the user's arms will not be limited to simultaneous operation.

Stops 416 at the lower ends of the rods 406 and 408 allow the support 404 to pivot down to the rear side of the frame, the downward facing side of the frame, for storage and transport. The stop 416 can also be adjusted, for example, in position, orientation, or shape so that the inclination of the rods 406 and 408 can be varied. This in turn changes the height of the bar above the user and changes the program of exercise. On the other hand, in the operative position shown in FIG. 10 , the stop abuts against the side walls 45D and 45E of the frame, wherein the support is in the restrained position. A user seated in the seat is thus able to grasp the opposite end of the lateral bar 412 and exercise by pulling the bar downward to overcome the resistance created by the resistance assembly 72 .

All of the advantages previously indicated and associated with the exercise machine of the present invention are represented by exercise machine 400 .

Figure 11 shows another variant of the device according to the invention. In this case, the structure 420 is pivotally connected to the outer edge 422 of the seat 16 . The structure 420 is optional, and thus the pivotal connection is designed such that the structure engages or can be disengaged from the seat if desired.

The structure 420 includes a downwardly extending member 424 having at its lower end a relatively small cross-member extending in the opposite direction. The cross member carries pads 428 on each of its protruding sides.

Each end of the cross member 426 is respectively connected by a link 430 to an end of the cable 10 which extends generally to the lower handles 108A and 108B. These handles are detachable from the cable.

Structure 420 is configured to enable a user on seat 16 to engage their foot or ankle with pad 428 on cross member 426 . While remaining on the seat 16 , the user can raise the leg to overcome the resistance applied by the resistance assembly 72 and transmitted to the structure 420 through the link 430 .

In one variation, member 424 is not used. The cross member 426 remains and is only connected to the linkage 430 . Movement of the legs is thus not limited by the pivotal movement of member 424 .

Figures 12 and 13 show the exercise machine 500 of the present invention in a slightly modified mode in its operating and storage modes, respectively. Wherein the same reference numerals denote the same components, and the structure of the exercise machine 500 is not described in detail.

The exercise machine includes a frame 12, generally of the type described above, which houses the cylinder and piston resistance assembly. A rod 406 with a crossbar 412 is mounted on the upper end of the frame, and the exercise machine includes the pedals 36 on the opposite end thereof. The seat 16 and backrest 18 are mounted on the front upwardly sloping side of the frame, while the U-shaped support member 28 is mounted on the sloping and downwardly facing rear side of the support member.

The seat can be secured in the operative position by adjustable struts 502, as shown in FIG. 12, and the backrest 18 can be similarly secured in the operative position by adjustable struts 504, as shown in FIG. Alternatively the U-shaped support member may be held in a selected operative position by one or more fasteners 506 clamped against a plate 508 on which the member is pivotally mounted.

Pedals 36 include foot operated controls to control the operation of the compressor and to control air release from a resistance device mounted in the frame. Compared with the structure shown in FIG. 1, since the compressor and motor 510 providing compressed air to the piston and cylinder resistance assembly are installed in the housing 512, the housing is fixed on the rear side of the frame.

A significant advantage of the exercise machine of the present invention is that the bars 406, cross bars and lateral bars can be removed from the upper end of the frame. The backrest and seat can be moved to a stowed position, as shown in Figure 13, in which these parts overlap the parts on the front side of the frame, while the support member 28 can be folded closer to the rear side, where the shell Body 512 is positioned between opposing branches of the U-shaped support member. The pedal 36 pivots upward so as to overlap a portion of the seat on the front side of the frame.

The exercise machine in the compact or storage configuration shown in Figure 13 occupies a relatively small volume to facilitate storage and transport of the device. It is especially important that a person who does not have enough space for the device to remain fully upright at all times can reach and use it.

Claims (12)

1. An exercise machine comprising an elongated frame with an upper end and an opposite lower end and opposite sides so as to form a housing; a resistance assembly within the housing; a support for supporting the frame in an inclined position member, the lower end rests on the ground in the inclined position whereby the frame has an inclined upward facing surface on one side and an inclined downward facing surface on the other side; between the upper and lower ends of the frame a seat mounted on the frame, the seat extending from the inclined upwardly facing surface in a first operative position; at least one first handle located at the upper end of the frame and moved by a user on the seat; and At least one second handle on the lower end of the frame and moved by a user on the seat, the resistance assembly includes a cylinder and an elongated member extending at least partially into the cylinder so as to be longitudinally opposite The cylinder reciprocates, the cylinder is movable relative to the second member and the frame by one of the first and second handles against a first resistance force generated by the resistance assembly, and the elongated member is movable by the first and second handles. Another of the second handle moves relative to the cylinder and the frame against a second resistance generated by the resistance assembly. 2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the seat is movable between a first operating position and a first storage position in which the seat overlies the first portion of the housing. 3. The exercise machine of claim 1 including a treadle located at the lower end of the frame and resting on the ground in the second operative position so as to receive at least one foot of a user. 4. The exercise machine of claim 3, wherein the pedal is movable between the second operating position and a second storage position in which the pedal is stacked above the second portion of the housing. 5. The exercise machine of claim 1, comprising at least one control device for controlling the first and second resistances. 6. The exercise machine of claim 3, comprising at least one control device for controlling the first and second resistances, the at least one control device being mounted on the pedal. 7. The exercise machine of claim 1, including a backrest mounted on a frame above the seat. 8. The fitness apparatus of claim 1, comprising at least one support extending from the upper end of the frame and at least one first handle supported by the support, whereby use on a seat Or cause the at least first handle to move downward relative to the support against the first resistance. 9. The fitness apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first mechanical gain system connected to the resistance assembly, whereby the movement of the first handle a first distance causes at least a first portion of the resistance assembly to respond The ground moves a second distance that is less than the first distance. 10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, wherein the resistance assembly includes a first end and a second end, wherein when at least a first portion of the resistance assembly is moved by the first handle, the first end One end engages a first support on the frame, and the second end moves relative to the frame. 11. The fitness apparatus of claim 10, comprising a second mechanical gain system coupled to the resistance assembly, whereby movement of the second handle a third distance causes at least a second portion of the resistance assembly to A fourth distance is correspondingly moved, which is smaller than the third distance. 12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the second end engages a second support on the frame when at least a second portion of the resistance assembly is moved by the second handle, And the first end moves relative to the frame.

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