Exercise apparatus for performing squats

Abstract

An exercise apparatus for performing squats is disclosed and includes in the preferred embodiment a frame, a base platform, a yoke assembly, a pair of weight carriages and a pair of universal joints. A pair of elongated handrails are attached to the frame. A pair of adjustable yoke catch/supports are operatively associated with the frame. A pair of vertical rods are disposed at each side of the frame for guiding the travel of the weight carriages when in use. The yoke assembly includes a padded neck and shoulder portion, with the shoulder pads being contoured. The weight carriages provide support for the weight plates. The location of the weight supports allow the weight plates to be disposed approximate to the height of the user's waist and closer to the user's center of gravity. A first universal joint connects the first weight carriage to the yoke assembly and a second universal joint connects the second carriage member to the yoke assembly. The universal joints allow for multidimensional movement of the yoke assembly and provide the exerciser with a greater freedom of movement, similar to the traditional “squat” exercise with free weights. The universal joints allow for a free and individual arc of motion as they serve as a fulcrum between the yoke assembly and the weight carriages, thus, allowing the user's body's exercise motion to occur in the sagittal plane as well as the frontal plane while the weight moves vertically.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus comprising: 
 a frame member having a first side and a second side;    a first means for supporting resistance weight movably connected to said frame member approximately at the first side of said frame member;    a second means for supporting resistance weight movably connected to said frame member approximately at the second side of said frame member; and    a yoke assembly having a first end and a second end, said first end of said yoke assembly connected to said first means for supporting by a first universal joint, said second end of said yoke assembly connected to said second means for supporting by a second universal joint;    wherein said first universal joint acts as a fulcrum between said yoke assembly and said first means for supporting and said second universal joint acts as a fulcrum between said yoke assembly and said second means for supporting to allow a free and individual arc of motion of said yoke assembly during use.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first means for supporting is a first carriage member, said first carriage member including a body member and having at least one post member depending outward from said body member for receipt of resistance weight.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said second means for supporting is a second carriage member, said second carriage member including a body member and having at least one post member depending outward from said body member for receipt of resistance weight.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said frame including a first pair of vertical guides at its first side and a second pair of vertical guides at its second side, said first carriage member operatively associated with said first pair of vertical guides and said second carriage member operatively associated with said second pair of vertical guides.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said frame member includes a bottom section, a top section, a pair of back vertical sections, and a pair of front vertical sections, each of said pair of back vertical sections attached at one end to said bottom section and at an opposite end to said top section, each of said pair of front vertical sections attached at one end to said bottom section and at an opposite end to said top section.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 5  further including at least one elongated handrail.  
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said at least one elongated handrail is a pair of stationary elongated handrails, a first of said pair of elongated handrails attached to a first of said pair of front vertical sections and a second of said pair of elongated handrails attached to a second of said pair of front vertical section.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 5  further including means for supporting the yoke assembly.  
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said means for supporting is a first catch member operatively associated with a first of said pair of front vertical sections and a second catch member operatively associated with a second of said pair of front vertical sections.  
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  further including a platform associated with said frame member.  
     
     
         11 . An exercise apparatus for performing squats, lunges and adductors/abductors, said exercise apparatus comprising: 
 a frame member having a first side and a second side;    a base platform associated with said frame member;    a first carriage member including a body member and having at least one post member depending outward from said body member for receipt of resistance weight, said first carriage member movably connected to said frame member approximately at the first side of said frame member, said first carriage member movable in a vertical direction with respect to said frame member;    a second carriage member including a body member and having at least one post member depending outward from said body member for receipt of resistance weight, said second carriage member movably connected to said frame member approximately at the second side of said frame member, said second carriage member movable in a vertical direction with respect to said frame member; and    a yoke assembly having a first end and a second end, said first end of said yoke assembly connected to said first carriage member by a first universal joint, said second end of said yoke assembly connected to said second carriage member by a second universal joint;    wherein said first universal joint acts as a fulcrum between said yoke assembly and said first carriage member and said second universal joint acts as a fulcrum between said yoke assembly and said second carriage member to allow a free and individual arc of motion of said yoke assembly during use.    
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said frame including a first pair of vertical guides at its first side and a second pair of vertical guides at its second side, said first carriage member operatively associated with said first pair of vertical guides and said second carriage member operatively associated with said second pair of vertical guides.  
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said frame member includes a bottom section, a top section, a pair of back vertical sections, and a pair of front vertical sections, each of said pair of back vertical sections attached at one end to said bottom section and at an opposite end to said top section, each of said pair of front vertical sections attached at one end to said bottom section and at an opposite end to said top section.  
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said base platform attached to said bottom section  
     
     
         15 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 13  further including at least one elongated handrail attached to said frame member.  
     
     
         16 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said at least one elongated handrail is a pair of stationary elongated handrails, a first of said pair of elongated handrails attached to a first of said pair of front vertical sections and a second of said pair of elongated handrails attached to a second of said pair of front vertical section.  
     
     
         17 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 13  further including means for supporting the yoke assembly.  
     
     
         18 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said means for supporting is a first catch member operatively associated with a first of said pair of front vertical sections and a second catch member operatively associated with a second of said pair of front vertical sections.  
     
     
         19 . An exercise apparatus for performing squats, lunges, adductors/abductors and heel raises, said exercise apparatus comprising: 
 a frame member having a first side and a second side, said frame member includes a bottom section, a top section, a pair of back vertical sections, and a pair of front vertical sections, each of said pair of back vertical sections attached at one end to said bottom section and at an opposite end to said top section, each of said pair of front vertical sections attached at one end to said bottom section and at an opposite end to said top section, said frame including a first pair of vertical guides at its first side and a second pair of vertical guides at its second side;    a base platform associated with said frame member;    a first carriage member including a body member and having at least one post member depending outward from said body member for receipt of resistance weight, said first carriage member movably connected to said frame member approximately at the first side of said frame member, said first carriage member movable in a vertical direction with respect to said frame member, said first carriage member operatively associated with said first pair of vertical guides;    a second carriage member including a body member and having at least one post member depending outward from said body member for receipt of resistance weight, said second carriage member movably connected to said frame member approximately at the second side of said frame member, said second carriage member movable in a vertical direction with respect to said frame member, said second carriage member operatively associated with said second pair of vertical guides; and    a yoke assembly having a first end and a second end, said first end of said yoke assembly connected to said first carriage member by a first universal joint, said second end of said yoke assembly connected to said second carriage member by a second universal joint;    wherein said first universal joint acts as a fulcrum between said yoke assembly and said first carriage member and said second universal joint acts as a fulcrum between said yoke assembly and said second carriage member to allow a free and individual arc of motion of said yoke assembly during use.    
     
     
         20 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said base platform attached to said bottom section  
     
     
         21 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 19  further including a pair of stationary elongated handrails, a first of said pair of elongated handrails attached to a first of said pair of front vertical sections and a second of said pair of elongated handrails attached to a second of said pair of front vertical section.  
     
     
         22 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 19  further including a first catch member operatively associated with a first of said pair of front vertical sections and a second catch member operatively associated with a second of said pair of front vertical sections.