Leg exercise apparatus and method with gravity latch device

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for leg exercises having a seat ( 100 ), 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 ), the converting structure having a gravity latch device ( 510 ).

1 . A leg exercise apparatus, comprising: 
 means for resisting a movement of an exerciser; and    means for exercising a leg of the exerciser, 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.  
   
   
       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 5 , wherein the ratchet wheel has a periphery and comprises at least one pair of opposing angled detents thereon formed for accommodating the pawl.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the pawl comprises a weighted rigid tab, the rigid tab being selectably disposed in a detent of the at least one pair of opposing detents for converting from a leg extension exercise to a leg curl exercise at a selected angle.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 7 , 
 wherein the at least one pair of opposing angled detents comprises at least one set of forward and aft opposing angled detents,    wherein the rigid tab is disposed in a forward opposing angled detent for selecting a leg extension exercise, and    wherein the rigid tab is disposed in an aft opposing angled detent for selecting a leg curl exercise.    
   
   
       9 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the pawl is pivotally mounted to the pivoting leg-engaging mechanism by a pivotal fastener selected from a group consisting essentially of a pin and a dowel.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 5 , 
 wherein the ratchet wheel is mechanically coupled to a cable system, and    wherein the cable system is mechanically coupled to the resisting means.    
   
   
       11 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the resisting means comprises an adjustable weight.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the leg exercising means comprises a pivoting leg-engaging mechanism operatively associated with coupled to the adjustable weight.  
   
   
       13 . 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.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the converting means comprises a locking mechanism.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises: 
 a lever, the lever having a distal end and a proximal end, and    a plurality of selectable detents formed in an outer wall of the converting mechanism, the lever distal end being disposable in a selected detent, and the lever proximal for facilitating manual adjustment of the locking mechanism.    
   
   
       16 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the converting means comprises a gravity latch device,    wherein the gravity latch device comprises a pawl and ratchet wheel combination,    wherein the ratchet wheel has a periphery and comprises at least one pair of opposing angled detents thereon formed for accommodating the pawl,    wherein the pawl comprises a weighted rigid tab, the rigid tab being selectably disposed in a detent of the at least one pair of opposing detents for converting from a leg extension exercise to a leg curl exercise at a selected angle,    wherein the at least one pair of opposing angled detents comprises at least one set of forward and aft opposing angled detents,    wherein the rigid tab is disposed in a forward opposing angled detent for selecting a leg extension exercise,    wherein the rigid tab is disposed in an aft opposing angled detent for selecting a leg curl exercise,    wherein the pawl is pivotally mounted to the pivoting leg-engaging mechanism by a pivotal fastener selected from a group consisting essentially of a pin, and a dowel,    wherein the ratchet wheel is mechanically coupled to a cable system,    wherein the cable system is mechanically coupled to the resisting means,    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.    
   
   
       17 . A gravity latch device, comprising a pawl and ratchet wheel combination.  
   
   
       18 . A device, as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the ratchet wheel has a periphery and comprises at least one pair of opposing angled detents thereon formed for accommodating the pawl.  
   
   
       19 . A device, as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the pawl comprises a weighted rigid tab, the rigid tab being selectably disposed in a detent of the at least one pair of opposing detents for converting from a leg extension exercise to a leg curl exercise at a selected angle.  
   
   
       20 . A device, as recited in  claim 19 , 
 wherein the at least one pair of opposing angled detents comprises at least one set of forward and aft opposing angled detents,    wherein the rigid tab is disposed in a forward opposing angled detent for selecting a leg extension exercise, and    wherein the rigid tab is disposed in an aft opposing angled detent for selecting a leg curl exercise.    
   
   
       21 . A device, as recited in  claim 17 , 
 wherein the ratchet wheel has a periphery and comprises at least one pair of opposing angled detents thereon formed for accommodating the pawl,    wherein the pawl comprises a weighted rigid tab, the rigid tab being selectably disposed in a detent of the at least one pair of opposing detents for converting from a leg extension exercise to a leg curl exercise at a selected angle,    wherein the at least one pair of opposing angled detents comprises at least one set of forward and aft opposing angled detents,    wherein the rigid tab is disposed in a forward opposing angled detent for selecting a leg extension exercise, and    wherein the rigid tab is disposed in an aft opposing angled detent for selecting a leg curl exercise.    
   
   
       22 . A method of fabricating a leg exercise apparatus, comprising the steps of: 
 providing means for resisting a movement of an exerciser; and    providing means for exercising a leg of the exerciser, the leg exercising means being operatively associated with the resisting means.    
   
   
       23 . A method, as recited in  claim 22 , 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.    
   
   
       24 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 23 , further comprising an upper thigh support member being cooperatively associated with the lower thigh support member.  
   
   
       25 . A method, as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the converting means providing step comprises providing a gravity latch device.  
   
   
       26 . A method, as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the gravity latch device providing step comprises providing a pawl and ratchet wheel combination.  
   
   
       27 . A method, as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprises providing the ratchet wheel with a periphery and comprises providing at least one pair of opposing angled detents thereon formed for accommodating the pawl.  
   
   
       28 . A method, as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprises providing the pawl with a weighted rigid tab, the rigid tab providing step comprising providing the rigid tab as being selectably disposable in a detent of the at least one pair of opposing detents for converting from a leg extension exercise to a leg curl exercise at a selected angle.  
   
   
       29 . A method, as recited in  claim 28 , 
 wherein the at least one pair of opposing angled detents providing step comprises providing at least one set of forward and aft opposing angled detents,    wherein the rigid tab providing step comprises providing the rigid tab as being disposable in a forward opposing angled detent for selecting a leg extension exercise, and    wherein the rigid tab providing step comprises providing the rigid tab as being disposable in an aft opposing angled detent for selecting a leg curl exercise.    
   
   
       30 . A method, as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprises providing the pawl as being pivotally mounted to the pivoting leg-engaging mechanism by a pivotal fastener selected from a group consisting essentially of a pin and a dowel.  
   
   
       31 . A method, as recited in  claim 26 , 
 wherein the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprises providing the ratchet wheel as being mechanically coupled to a cable system, and    wherein the resisting means providing step comprises providing the cable system as being mechanically coupled to the resisting means.    
   
   
       32 . A method, as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the resisting means providing step comprises providing an adjustable weight.  
   
   
       33 . A method, as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the leg exercising means providing step comprises providing a pivoting leg-engaging mechanism being operatively associated with coupled to the adjustable weight.  
   
   
       34 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 24 , 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.  
   
   
       35 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the converting means comprises a locking mechanism.  
   
   
       36 . An apparatus, as recited in  claim 35 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises: 
 a lever, the lever having a distal end and a proximal end, and    a plurality of selectable detents formed in an outer wall of the converting mechanism, the lever distal end being disposable in a selected detent, and the lever proximal for facilitating manual adjustment of the locking mechanism.    
   
   
       37 . A method, as recited in  claim 22 , 
 wherein the leg exercising means providing step comprises:    providing an upper thigh support member;    providing a lower thigh support member being cooperatively associated with the upper 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,    wherein the gravity latch device providing step comprises providing a pawl and ratchet wheel combination,    wherein the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprises providing the ratchet wheel with a periphery and providing at least one pair of opposing angled detents thereon formed for accommodating the pawl,    wherein the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprises providing the pawl with a weighted rigid tab, the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprising providing the rigid tab as being selectably disposable in a detent of the at least one pair of opposing detents for converting from a leg extension exercise to a leg curl exercise at a selected angle,    wherein the at least one pair of opposing angled detents providing step comprises providing at least one set of forward and aft opposing angled detents,    wherein the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprises providing the rigid tab as being disposable in a forward opposing angled detent for selecting a leg extension exercise,    wherein the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprises providing the rigid tab as being disposable in an aft opposing angled detent for selecting a leg curl exercise,    wherein the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprises providing the pawl as being pivotally mounted to the pivoting leg-engaging mechanism by a pivotal fastener selected from a group consisting essentially of a pin and a dowel,    wherein the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprises providing the ratchet wheel as being mechanically coupled to a cable system, and wherein the cable system is mechanically coupled to the resisting means,    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.    
   
   
       38 . A method of fabricating a gravity latch device, comprising the step of providing a pawl and ratchet wheel combination.  
   
   
       39 . A method, as recited in  claim 38 , wherein the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprises providing the ratchet wheel with a periphery and providing at least one pair of opposing angled detents thereon formed for accommodating the pawl.  
   
   
       40 . A method, as recited in  claim 31 , wherein the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprises providing the pawl with a weighted rigid tab, the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprising providing the rigid tab as being selectably disposable in a detent of the at least one pair of opposing detents for converting from a leg extension exercise to a leg curl exercise at a selected angle.  
   
   
       41 . A method, as recited in  claim 40 , 
 wherein the at least one pair of opposing angled detents providing step comprises providing at least one set of forward and aft opposing angled detents,    wherein the rigid tab providing step comprises providing the rigid tab as being disposable in a forward opposing angled detent for selecting a leg extension exercise, and    wherein the rigid tab providing step comprises providing the rigid tab as being disposable in an aft opposing angled detent for selecting a leg curl exercise.    
   
   
       42 . A method, as recited in  claim 38 , 
 wherein the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprises providing the ratchet wheel with a periphery and providing at least one pair of opposing angled detents thereon formed for accommodating the pawl,    wherein the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprises providing the pawl with a weighted rigid tab, the pawl and ratchet wheel combination providing step comprising providing the rigid tab as being selectably disposable in a detent of the at least one pair of opposing detents for converting from a leg extension exercise to a leg curl exercise at a selected angle,    wherein the at least one pair of opposing angled detents providing step comprises providing at least one set of forward and aft opposing angled detents,    wherein the rigid tab providing step comprising providing the rigid tab as being disposable in a forward opposing angled detent for selecting a leg extension exercise, and    wherein the rigid tab providing step comprising providing the rigid tab as being disposable in an aft opposing angled detent for selecting a leg curl exercise.