Machine for Exercising the Muscles of the Lower Back and Associated Methods

Abstract

A machine is for exercising the muscles of the lower back. The machine includes a base frame and a resistance arm including a resistance pad engaged by the user, the resistance arm coupled to the base frame at a first rotation point and having a center of rotation about the first rotation point. The machine further includes a seat frame member carrying a seat, the seat frame member coupled to the base frame at one or more seat rotation points and having a center of rotation about each of the seat rotation points. The resistance arm and seat frame member are rotated in opposite directions during a repetition cycle about the respective first rotation point and at least one seat rotation point.

1 . A machine for exercising the muscles of the lower back, comprising:
 a base frame;   a resistance arm including a resistance pad engaged by the user, the resistance arm coupled to the base frame at a first rotation point and having a center of rotation about said first rotation point;   a seat frame member carrying a seat, the seat frame member coupled to the base frame at least one seat rotation point and having a center of rotation about each of said at least one seat rotation point;   said resistance arm and seat frame member rotated in opposite directions during a repetition cycle about the respective first rotation point and at least one seat rotation point.   
   
   
       2 . The machine according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the seat includes a base and a back for defining a lumbar rotation center (LRC) fixed relative to the seat, the LRC positioned above the base and forward from the back;   and wherein the resistance pad center of rotation substantially coincides with the LRC.   
   
   
       3 . The machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the radial distance between the resistance pad and the LRC accommodates users of varying size, and the range of said radial distance between the resistance pad and the LRC over the repetition cycle is minimized. 
   
   
       4 . A machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the base frame extends the base of the machine; and further comprising at least one forward link coupling the base frame to the seat frame member adjacent a front area of the machine;
 said at least one forward link comprising at least one link rotation point, including at least one of said at least one seat rotation point.   
   
   
       5 . A machine according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one forward link comprises a top end and a bottom end, and wherein the one of said at least one seat rotation point is adjacent the top end of the at least one forward link. 
   
   
       6 . A machine according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one forward link includes a rotation point adjacent the bottom end for rotatably connecting the at least one forward link to the machine base. 
   
   
       7 . A machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the first rotation point, at least one seat rotation point and at least one link rotation point are selectively positioned such that the radial distance between the resistance pad and the LRC accommodates users of varying size, and the range of said radial distance between the resistance pad and the LRC over the repetition cycle is minimized. 
   
   
       8 . A machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the LRC corresponds to the approximate center of rotation of the lower five vertebrae of a user positioned on the seat. 
   
   
       9 . A machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the resistance pad engages the upper back of the user. 
   
   
       10 . A machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a locking mechanism for selectively adjusting the initial angle of the resistance arm relative to the base frame at the beginning of a repetition cycle;   and wherein the resistance arm further comprises:
 a first end coupled to the resistance pad; and 
 a second end coupled to the locking mechanism; 
   the first rotation point of the resistance arm positioned between the first and second end of the resistance arm.   
   
   
       11 . A machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism further adjusts the angular range of the resistance arm during a repetition cycle. 
   
   
       12 . A machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism disengages the machine resistance while adjusting the initial angle of the resistance arm to accommodate users of varying flexibility entering the machine. 
   
   
       13 . A machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a hydraulic cylinder. 
   
   
       14 . A machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the seat frame member comprises a first end adjacent the seat, a second end coupled to a foot board for mounting the user's feet during operation of the machine, and a first seat rotation point adjacent the second end. 
   
   
       15 . A machine according to  claim 14 , wherein the seat frame member further comprises a second seat rotation point between the first and second end, along an underside of the seat frame member. 
   
   
       16 . A machine according to  claim 15 , further comprising a lifting arm having a first end coupled to the resistance arm first rotation point and a second end rotatably coupled to the second seat rotation point of the seat frame member. 
   
   
       17 . A machine according to  claim 16 , wherein the base frame comprises:
 at least one side bar having a first end integral with the base frame and a second end coupled to the first rotation point of the resistance arm and further coupled to the first end of the lifting arm; and   at least one stand for supporting the seat frame member adjacent the second end of the lifting arm prior to beginning the repetition cycle.   
   
   
       18 . A machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the resistance pad further includes a pair of handles coupled to the first end of the resistance arm to be grasped by the user during the repetition cycle. 
   
   
       19 . A machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one knee restraint coupled to the seat frame member for restraining the user's knees and isolating the pelvis while using the machine. 
   
   
       20 . A machine according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one knee restraint further comprises:
 an adjustable knee bar for adjustably positioning the knee restraint, and;   a locking device for securing the knee restraint in contact with the user's knees.   
   
   
       21 . A method for assembling a machine for exercising the muscles of the lower back, the method comprising:
 forming a base frame;   rotatably coupling a resistance arm including a resistance pad to be engaged by the user to the base frame at a first rotation point, the resistance arm having a center of rotation about said first rotation point;   rotatably coupling a seat frame member carrying a seat to the base frame at least one seat rotation point, the seat frame member having a center of rotation about each of said at least one seat rotation point;   said resistance arm and seat frame member rotated in opposite directions during a repetition cycle about the respective first rotation point and at least one seat rotation point.   
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the seat includes a base and a back for defining a lumbar rotation center (LRC) fixed relative to the seat, the LRC positioned above the base and forward from the back;
 and wherein the resistance pad center of rotation substantially coincides with the LRC.   
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the radial distance between the resistance pad and the LRC accommodates users of varying size, and the range of said radial distance between the resistance pad and the LRC over the repetition cycle is minimized. 
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the base frame extends the base of the machine; and further comprising:
 coupling at least one forward link from the base frame to the seat frame member adjacent a front area of the machine;   said at least one forward link comprising at least one link rotation point, including at least one of said at least one seat rotation point.   
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein said at least one forward link comprises a top end and a bottom end, and wherein the one of said at least one seat rotation point is adjacent the top end of the at least one forward link. 
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein said at least one forward link includes a rotation point adjacent the bottom end for rotatably connecting the at least one forward link to the machine base. 
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the first rotation point, at least one seat rotation point and at least one link rotation point are selectively positioned such that the radial distance between the resistance pad and the LRC accommodates users of varying size, and the range of said radial distance between the resistance pad and the LRC over the repetition cycle is minimized. 
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 forming a locking mechanism for selectively adjusting the initial angle of the resistance arm relative to the base frame at the beginning of a repetition cycle;   and wherein coupling the resistance arm further comprises
 forming a first end coupled to the resistance pad; and 
 forming a second end coupled to the locking mechanism; 
   the first rotation point of the resistance arm located between the first and second end.   
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein forming the locking mechanism further comprises forming a hydraulic cylinder. 
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein forming the seat frame member further comprises:
 forming a first end adjacent the seat;   forming a second end coupled to a foot board for mounting the user's feet during operation of the machine, and;   positioning a first seat rotation point adjacent the second end.   
   
   
       31 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein forming the base frame comprises:
 forming a side bar having a first end integral with the machine base and a second end rotatably coupled to the first rotation point of the resistance arm and further coupled to the first end of the lifting arm; and   forming a stand for supporting the seat frame member adjacent the second end of the lifting arm prior to beginning the repetition cycle.