Exercise device

Abstract

An exercise apparatus having a base, a support member, at least two legs, each of the legs having a first and pivotably attached to the base and a second end pivotably attached to the support member, and a longitudinally adjustable member connected between the base and the support member for infinitely adjusting and securing a vertical position of the support member between two end positions.

1 . An exercise apparatus, comprising: 
 a base;    a support member;    at least two legs, each of the legs having a first and pivotably attached to the base and a second end pivotably attached to the support member; and    a longitudinally adjustable member connected between the base and the support member for infinitely adjusting and securing a vertical position of the support member between two end positions.    
   
   
       2 . An exercise apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable member includes a first hollow tube having a second end pivotably attached to the support member, and an open first end, a second hollow tube having first end pivotably attached to the base and a second end arranged within the first tube via the first end of the first tube so that the tubes are movable relative to one another in a telescoping manner, and a mechanism for moving the tubes relative to one another.  
   
   
       3 . An exercise apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein the moving mechanism includes a threaded first shaft rotatably mounted in one of the tubes, and a threaded sleeve fixed in the other of the tubes, the threaded shaft being arranged to pass through the sleeve so that rotation of the shaft causes the sleeve to move along the shaft.  
   
   
       4 . An exercise apparatus as in  claim 3 , wherein the first shaft is mounted in the first tube and the threaded sleeve is fixed in the second tube.  
   
   
       5 . An exercise apparatus as in  claim 4 , wherein the moving mechanism further includes a gear mechanism for rotating the threaded shaft from outside the first tube.  
   
   
       6 . An exercise apparatus as in  claim 5 , wherein the gear mechanism includes a second shaft arranged substantially perpendicular to the first shaft and extending through a wall of the first tube, the second shaft having a first end outside the first tube and a second end inside the first tube, the second end having a first gear mounted thereon that is in engagement with a second gear mounted on the first shaft.  
   
   
       7 . An exercise apparatus as in  claim 6 , wherein the first and second gears are bevel gears.  
   
   
       8 . An exercise apparatus as in  claim 6 , and further comprising a crank mounted on the first end of the second shaft to facilitate rotation of the second shaft.  
   
   
       9 . An exercise apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the legs are parallel.  
   
   
       10 . An exercise apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the support member is parallel to the base.  
   
   
       11 . An exercise apparatus as in  claim 10 , wherein the base is longer than the support member.  
   
   
       12 . An exercise apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein two legs are provided at one end of the support member and one leg is provided at another end of the support member.  
   
   
       13 . An exercise apparatus as in  claim 1 , and further comprising a stop mounted on the base so that one of the legs rests against the stop in one of the end positions.  
   
   
       14 . An exercise apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein the second end of the first tube is mounted to the support member in a region in which a first one of the legs is attached to the support member.  
   
   
       15 . An exercise apparatus as in  claim 14 , wherein the first end of the second tube is mounted to the base in a region in which a second one of the legs is attached to the base.  
   
   
       16 . An exercise apparatus as in  claim 1 , and further comprising exercise equipment at one end of the support member.