Leg exercise apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for facilitating leg exercises which involves a seat ( 100 ) for accommodating an exerciser, a support structure ( 200 ) being operatively associated with the seat ( 100 ); a structure for resisting ( 300 ) a movement of the exerciser; and a structure for exercising ( 400 ) a leg, the leg exercising structure ( 400 ) being operatively associated with the resisting structure ( 300 ). The leg exercising structure ( 400 ) includes an upper thigh support member ( 410 ), a lower thigh support member ( 420 ) being cooperatively associated with the upper thigh support member ( 410 ), a calf support member ( 430 ), a pivoting leg-engaging mechanism ( 440 ) being mechanically coupled to the calf support member ( 430 ), and a structure for converting ( 500 ) from a leg extension exercise to a leg curl exercise, the converting structure ( 500 ) being operatively associated with the calf support member ( 430 ).

1 . A leg exercise apparatus comprising: 
 a seat for accommodating an exerciser;    a support structure being operatively associated with the seat;    means for resisting a movement of the exerciser; and    means for exercising a leg, the leg exercising means being operatively associated with the resisting means.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the leg exercising means comprises: 
 a lower thigh support member;    a calf support member;    a pivoting leg-engaging mechanism being mechanically coupled to the calf support member; and    means for converting from a leg extension exercise to a leg curl exercise, the converting means being operatively associated with the calf support member.    
   
   
       3 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising an upper thigh support member being cooperatively associated with the lower thigh support member for facilitating the leg curl exercise.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the converting means comprises a gravity latch device.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the gravity latch device comprises a pawl and ratchet wheel combination.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the upper thigh support member locks the leg against the lower thigh support member into a selected leg curl exercise position by using the converting means.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the support structure has an upper portion, an intermediate portion, and a lower portion, the intermediate portion having two ends and being generally vertically disposed, the upper portion being mechanically coupled to an end of the intermediate portion and being angled forward of the intermediate portion, the lower portion being mechanically coupled to a remaining end of the intermediate portion and including at least three contact members.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 7 , 
 wherein the upper portion is angled in relation to the intermediate portion, and    wherein the upper portion and the intermediate portion subtend an angle in a range of approximately 90° to approximately 180°.    
   
   
       9 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the resisting means comprises an adjustable weight, and    wherein the leg exercising means comprises a pivoting leg-engaging mechanism operatively associated with coupled to the adjustable weight.    
   
   
       10 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 1 , comprising: 
 wherein the leg exercising means comprises:    a lower thigh support member;    a calf support member;    a pivoting leg-engaging mechanism being mechanically coupled to the calf support member; and    means for converting from a leg extension exercise to a leg curl exercise, the converting means being operatively associated with the calf support member,    wherein the converting means comprises a gravity latch device, and    wherein the gravity latch device comprises a pawl and ratchet wheel combination.    
   
   
       11 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising an upper thigh support member being cooperatively associated with the lower thigh support member for facilitating the leg curl exercise.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the upper thigh support member locks the leg against the lower thigh support member into a selected leg curl exercise position by using the converting means.  
   
   
       13 . A leg exercise device, comprising: 
 a lower thigh support member;    a calf support member;    a pivoting leg-engaging mechanism being mechanically coupled to the calf support member; and    means for converting from a leg extension exercise to a leg curl exercise, the converting means being operatively associated with the calf support member.    
   
   
       14 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising an upper thigh support member being cooperatively associated with the lower thigh support member for facilitating the leg curl exercise.  
   
   
       15 . A device, as recited in  claim 13 , 
 wherein the converting means comprises a gravity latch device, and    wherein the gravity latch device comprises a pawl and ratchet wheel combination.    
   
   
       16 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the upper thigh support member locks the leg against the lower thigh support member into a selected leg curl exercise position by using the converting means.  
   
   
       17 . A method of fabricating a leg exercise apparatus comprising the steps of: 
 providing seat for accommodating an exerciser;    providing a support structure being operatively associated with the seat;    providing means for resisting a movement of the exerciser; and    providing means for exercising a leg, the leg exercising means being operatively associated with the resisting means.    
   
   
       18 . A method, as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the leg exercising means providing step comprises: 
 providing a lower thigh support member;    providing a calf support member;    providing a pivoting leg-engaging mechanism being mechanically coupled to the calf support member; and    providing means for converting from a leg extension exercise to a leg curl exercise, the converting means being operatively associated with the calf support member.    
   
   
       19 . A method, as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising the step of providing an upper thigh support member being cooperatively associated with the lower thigh support member for facilitating the leg curl exercise.  
   
   
       20 . A method, as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the converting means providing step comprises providing a gravity latch device.  
   
   
       21 . A method, as recited in  claim 20  wherein the gravity latch device providing step comprises providing a pawl and ratchet wheel combination.  
   
   
       22 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the upper thigh support member locks the leg against the lower thigh support member into a selected leg curl exercise position by using the converting means.  
   
   
       23 . A method, as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the support structure providing step comprises providing the support structure with an upper portion, an intermediate portion, and a lower portion, the intermediate portion having two ends and being generally vertically disposed, the upper portion being mechanically coupled to an end of the intermediate portion and being angled forward of the intermediate portion, the lower portion being mechanically coupled to a remaining end of the intermediate portion and including at least three contact members.  
   
   
       24 . A method, as recited in  claim 23 , 
 wherein the support structure providing step comprises providing the upper portion being angled in relation to the intermediate portion, and    wherein the support structure providing step comprises providing the support structure with the upper portion and the intermediate portion subtending an angle in a range of approximately 90° to approximately 180°.    
   
   
       25 . A method, as recited in  claim 17 , 
 wherein the resisting means providing step comprises providing an adjustable weight, and    wherein the leg exercising means providing step comprises providing a pivoting leg-engaging mechanism being operatively associated with coupled to the adjustable weight.    
   
   
       26 . A method, as recited in  claim 17 , comprising: 
 wherein the leg exercising means providing step comprises:    providing a lower thigh support member;    providing a calf support member;    providing a pivoting leg-engaging mechanism being mechanically coupled to the calf support member; and    providing means for converting from a leg extension exercise to a leg curl exercise, the converting means being operatively associated with the calf support member,    wherein the converting means providing step comprises providing a gravity latch device, and    wherein the gravity latch device providing step comprises providing a pawl and ratchet wheel combination.    
   
   
       27 . A method, as recited in  claim 26 , further comprising the step of providing an upper thigh support member being cooperatively associated with the lower thigh support member for facilitating the leg curl exercise.  
   
   
       28 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the upper thigh support member locks the leg against the lower thigh support member into a selected leg curl exercise position by using the converting means.  
   
   
       29 . A method for fabricating a leg exercise device, comprising: 
 providing a lower thigh support member;    providing a calf support member;    providing a pivoting leg-engaging mechanism being mechanically coupled to the calf support member; and    providing means for converting from a leg extension exercise to a leg curl exercise, the converting means providing step comprising providing the converting means being operatively associated with the calf support member.    
   
   
       30 . A method, as recited in  claim 29 , further comprising the step of providing an upper thigh support member being cooperatively associated with the lower thigh support member for facilitating the leg curl exercise.  
   
   
       31 . A method, as recited in  claim 29 , 
 wherein the converting means providing step comprises providing a gravity latch device, and    wherein the gravity latch device providing step comprises providing a pawl and ratchet wheel combination.    
   
   
       32 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the upper thigh support member locks the leg against the lower thigh support member into a selected leg curl exercise position by using the converting means.