Leg press machine

Abstract

A leg press exercise machine that provides translational and rotational motion of the user support structure by translating the user support structure along two intersecting non-orthogonal linear paths. A front portion of the user support structure travels along an inclining linear path and a rear portion of the user support structure travels along a declining linear path. The translation of the user support structure along the inclining and declining linear paths results in the user support structure exhibiting a rational motion, defining an arcuate path.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A leg press exercise machine comprising a user support structure adapted to be moved from a first position to a second position, the user support structure traveling along a pair of intersecting non-orthogonal paths.  
     
     
         2 . The leg press exercise machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a frame including a first support structure defining a first liner path and second support structure defining a second linear path, wherein the user support structure is movably mounted the first support structure and the second support structure.  
     
     
         3 . The leg press exercise machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the user support structure comprises a first portion slidingly mounted to the first support structure and a second portion slidingly mounted to the second support structure.  
     
     
         4 . The leg press machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the first portion of the user support structure reaches an apex of the first linear path and the second portion of the user support structure reaches a nadir of the second linear path as the user support structure travels from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         5 . The leg press machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the first portion of the user support structure reaches a nadir of the first linear path and the second portion of the user support structure reaches an apex of the second linear path as the user support structure travels from the second position to the first position.  
     
     
         6 . The leg press machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the first portion of the user support structure reaches an apex of the first linear path and the second portion of the user support structure reaches an apex of the second linear path as the user support structure travels from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         7 . The leg press machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the first portion of the user support structure reaches a nadir of the first linear path and the second portion of the user support structure reaches a nadir of the second linear path as the user support structure travels from the second position to the first position.  
     
     
         8 . The leg press exercise machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a footplate adjustably mounted to the frame.  
     
     
         9 . The leg press exercise machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a resistance mechanism operably connected to the user support structure.  
     
     
         10 . The leg press exercise machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the user support structure comprises a seat and a backrest, the seat and the backrest translating and rotating as the user support structure is moved between the first position and the second position.  
     
     
         11 . The leg press exercise machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the seat and the backrest recline as the user support structure travels from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         12 . The leg press exercise machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the seat and the backrest incline as the user support structure travels from the second position to the first position.  
     
     
         13 . A leg press exercise machines for exercising a user's leg muscles comprising: 
 a frame;    a user support structure operably mounted onto the frame and adapted to be moved from a first position to a second position, the user support structure traveling along a pair of intersecting non-orthogonal paths; and    a resistance mechanism operably connected to the user support structure.    
     
     
         14 . The leg press exercise machine according to  claim 13 , further comprising a footplate adjustably mounted to the frame and engagable by the user.  
     
     
         15 . The leg press exercise machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the frame comprising a first support structure defining a first linear path and a second support structure defining a second linear path, wherein the user support structure is movably mounted the first support structure and the second support structure.  
     
     
         16 . The leg press exercise machine according to  claim 15 , wherein the user support structure comprises a first portion slidingly mounted to the first support structure and a second portion slidingly mounted to the second support structure.  
     
     
         17 . The leg press machine according to  claim 16 , wherein the first portion of the user support structure reaches an apex of the first linear path and the second portion of the user support structure reaches a nadir of the second linear path as the user support structure travels from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         18 . The leg press machine according to  claim 16 , wherein the first portion of the user support structure reaches a nadir of the first linear path and the second portion of the user support structure reaches an apex of the second linear path as the user support structure travels from the second position to the first position.  
     
     
         19 . The leg press exercise machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the user support structure comprises a seat and a backrest, the seat and the backrest translating and rotating as the user support structure is moved between the first position and the second position.  
     
     
         20 . The leg press exercise machine according to  claim 19 , wherein the seat and the backrest recline as the user support structure travels from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         21 . The leg press exercise machine according to  claim 19 , wherein the seat and the backrest incline as the user support structure travels from the second position to the first position.  
     
     
         22 . A leg press exercise machines for exercising a user's leg muscles comprising: 
 a frame including a first support structure defining a first linear path and a second support structure defining a second linear path;    a user support structure including a first portion slidingly mounted to the first support structure and a second portion slidingly mounted to the second support structure, the user support structure adapted to be moved from a first position to a second position along the first linear path and the second linear path, such that the user support structure declines as the user support structure is moved from the first position to the second position and inclines as the user support structure moves from a second position to the first position;    a footplate adjustably mounted to the frame and engagable by the user; and    a resistance mechanism including a weight stack operably connected to user support structure.    
     
     
         23 . A leg press machine, comprising; 
 a frame,    a weight resistance mechanism coupled to the frame,    a footplate fixed to the frame, and    a seat carriage coupled to the weight resistance mechanism and having 
 proximal and distal end portions, and  
 a pivot having an axis of rotation,  
   wherein the proximal end portion is translationally movable in a first translational axis of motion, the distal end portion is translationally movable in a second translational axis of motion, said first translational axis and second translational axis skewed to each other to cause said proximal end of seat carriage to move up and back while said distal end of seat carriage moves down and back during the extension of the leg.