Exercise Machine Carriage System

Abstract

An exercise machine carriage system which allows for a wide range of exercises while maintaining improved balance and control for the exerciser. The exercise machine generally includes a stationary frame and a carriage adapted to slide along at least one track on the frame. The carriage may include at least one opening on its upper surface to be used by an exerciser to perform a variety of exercises. The carriage may also include, either in combination with the openings or alternatively, at least one carriage strap extending across its upper surface for use in a variety of exercises. Platforms may also be included on either end of the frame, each of the platforms including its own platform strap. By utilizing such openings and/or straps, a wide variety of exercises may be accomplished that otherwise would be difficult or impossible to perform on conventional exercise machines.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a frame having at least one track, a first end and a second end opposite said first end;   wherein said at least one track has a longitudinal axis;   a carriage movably connected to said at least one track, said carriage including a first end and a second end opposite of said first end;   wherein said carriage is adapted to be movable along a portion of said longitudinal axis of said at least one track;   at least one bias member connected between said frame and said carriage, wherein said at least one bias member provides a biasing force to said carriage;   a first platform connected to or near said first end of said frame;   a second platform connected to or near said second end of said frame;   a first opening within said carriage near said first end of said carriage;   wherein said first opening is large enough to allow a foot or a hand of an exerciser to be inserted through said first opening, and   wherein said first opening is elongated and extends in a substantially transverse direction with respect to said at least one track.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , including a second opening within said carriage. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine of  claim 2 , wherein said second opening is large enough to allow a foot or a hand of an exerciser to be inserted through said first opening and wherein said first opening is elongated and extends in a substantially transverse direction with respect to said at least one track. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine of  claim 2 , wherein said second opening is near said second end of said carriage. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , including a first platform strap attached to said first platform and extending across at least a portion of an upper surface of said first platform. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , including a first carriage strap attached to said carriage and extending across at least a portion of an upper surface of said carriage. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine of  claim 6 , wherein said first carriage strap is positioned near said first end of said carriage. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine of  claim 6 , wherein said first carriage strap extends in a substantially transverse direction with respect to said at least one track. 
     
     
         9 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a frame having at least one track, a first end and a second end opposite said first end;   wherein said at least one track has a longitudinal axis;   a carriage movably connected to said at least one track, said carriage including a first end, a second end opposite of said first end and an upper surface;   wherein said carriage is adapted to be movable along a portion of said longitudinal axis of said at least one track;   at least one bias member connected between said frame and said carriage, wherein said at least one bias member provides a biasing force to said carriage;   a first platform connected to or near said first end of said frame, wherein said first platform includes a first upper surface;   a second platform connected to or near said second end of said frame, wherein said second platform includes a second upper surface;   wherein said upper surface of said carriage, said first upper surface of said first platform and said second upper surface of said second platform are all parallel to said at least one track;   wherein said upper surface of said carriage, said first upper surface of said first platform and said second upper surface of said second platform are all on or near a common plane; and   a first opening within said carriage near said first end of said carriage.   
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine of  claim 9 , wherein said common plane is substantially horizontal and substantially parallel with respect to said at least one track. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise machine of  claim 9 , including a second opening within said carriage. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine of  claim 11 , wherein said second opening is large enough to allow a foot or a hand of an exerciser to be inserted through said first opening and wherein said first opening is elongated and extends in a substantially transverse direction with respect to said at least one track. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine of  claim 11 , wherein said second opening is near said second end of said carriage. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine of  claim 9 , wherein said first opening is large enough to allow a foot or a hand of an exerciser to be inserted through said first opening. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine of  claim 14 , wherein said first opening is elongated and extends in a substantially transverse direction with respect to said at least one track. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise machine of  claim 9 , including a first platform strap attached to said first platform and extending across at least a portion of an upper surface of said first platform. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise machine of  claim 9 , including a first carriage strap attached to said carriage and extending across at least a portion of an upper surface of said carriage. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise machine of  claim 17 , wherein said first carriage strap is positioned near said first end of said carriage. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise machine of  claim 17 , wherein said first carriage strap extends in a substantially transverse direction with respect to said at least one track. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise machine of  claim 9 , wherein said carriage is comprised of an elongated structure having a first longitudinal axis, wherein said first longitudinal axis is parallel to said longitudinal axis of said at least one track, wherein said first platform is comprised of an elongated structure having a second longitudinal axis and wherein said second platform is comprised of an elongated structure having a third longitudinal axis, wherein said second longitudinal axis and said third longitudinal axis are substantially transverse with respect to said first longitudinal axis of said carriage.