Exercise machine

Abstract

A pilates reformer machine has a frame with a longitudinal central extruded spine (2) extending between a first support member (4a, 4b) and a second support member (6a, 6b), a carriage (8) supporting a platform (9) moveable along the spine, at least one retention spring housed within the spine and attached to the carriage, the at least one retention spring being selectively attachable to the frame by buttons (12), the carriage being provided with sides that wrap around sides of the spine and engage with an underneath of the spine, the carriage further including a plurality of wheels receivable within tracks formed within the central spine. A leg exerciser (30) and foot bar (20) may be included in the machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise machine comprising:
 a frame having a longitudinal central spine extending between a first support member and a second support member,   a carriage supporting a platform moveable along the longitudinal central spine,   at least one retention spring or band housed within the longitudinal central spine and attached to the carriage,   a monitor for monitoring whether each of the at least one retention spring or band is engaged or disengaged, and   a sensor for monitoring a position of the platform along the longitudinal central spine,   wherein the at least one retention spring or band is selectively attachable to the frame,   wherein the carriage and/or the platform comprises a plurality of wheels receivable within tracks formed on, or within, the longitudinal central spine.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carriage has sides that wrap around sides of the longitudinal central spine and engage with an underneath of the longitudinal central spine, wherein the longitudinal central spine has an upper part and dependent side parts, wherein the sides of the carriage extend around the dependent side parts and engage with an underneath of the longitudinal central spine, wherein the at least one retention spring or band and the plurality of wheels are located within the longitudinal central spine, wherein the longitudinal central spine further comprises an extrusion having a profile shaped to create multiple recesses for receipt of one or more parts of the carriage, the plurality of wheels, and the at least one retention spring or band. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the extrusion has a slightly curved top surface and two opposing outwardly convex sides that terminate in inwardly-facing opposing carriage wheel tracks, and wherein the carriage further comprises an extruded part for mating with the extrusion. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the carriage comprises an extruded part for mating with the extrusion, wherein the extruded part comprises:
 two support flanges having outer sides extending downwardly and inwardly therefrom,   a base part extending substantially perpendicularly inwardly from each of the outer sides and   inner sides extending upwardly from each base part, the inner sides having inner faces provided with at least one carriage wheel of the plurality of wheels,   wherein each of the inner sides is extruded to terminate with at least one retention spring or band housing for receiving the at least one retention spring or band,   wherein the at least one retention spring or band is selectively secured to an end of the longitudinal central spine by buttons in cooperation with a plunger that extend through vertical openings provided through the extrusion to an interior of the at least one retention spring or band housing.   
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carriage comprises at least one folded bracket attachable to an underside of the platform, wherein the at least one folded bracket provides sides that wrap around sides of the longitudinal central spine and engage with an underneath of the spine. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a foot bar that extends around both the longitudinal central spine and the carriage, the foot bar being selectively movable along a length of the spine via a plurality of foot bar wheels,   wherein the longitudinal central spine further comprises recesses forming foot bar wheel tracks for receiving the plurality of foot bar wheels.   
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a foot bar that is a substantially n-shaped bar that is dimensioned to fit around the longitudinal central spine and the carriage,   a foot bar location mechanism comprising a bracket having a plurality of foot bar wheels,   wherein the longitudinal central spine further comprises recesses forming foot bar wheel tracks for receiving the plurality of foot bar wheels,   wherein each end of the substantially n-shaped bar has an inwardly extending connecting bar for receipt within a socket that rotatably engages with the foot bar location mechanism,   wherein the plurality of foot bar wheels is received within the foot bar wheel tracks to enable the foot bar to travel along a length of the longitudinal central spine, and   wherein the foot bar location mechanism comprises at least one of: a first lock to maintain the foot bar at a desired location along the length of the longitudinal central spine, and a second lock to maintain the foot bar at a desired angle selectable between a series of angles with respect to the longitudinal central spine.   
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a leg exerciser attached to one end of the frame, the leg exerciser comprising a cross bar pivotally connected to the frame by at least one pivot arm.   
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein at least one cord extends between the carriage and an end of the exercise machine and back to the carriage via a pulley mechanism, wherein the pulley mechanism enables a user to move the carriage by pulling on the at least one cord, wherein one end of the at least one cord is wound around a bobbin provided in a recoil unit that is attached to the carriage and another end of the at least one cord terminates in a handle or cuff, wherein the at least one cord passes around a first pulley provided at an end of the exercise machine, and wherein the at least one cord is extendable around the cross bar to impart resistance thereto. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one retention spring or band is selectably attachable to the frame by a button and plunger mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein each of the at least one retention spring or band is provided within a housing secured to the carriage or platform, and wherein an opposing end of the at least one retention spring or band is provided with an eyelet for selective attachment to the frame by the button and plunger mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a spring-loaded locking pin is provided in a channel transverse to a direction of movement of the button and plunger mechanism whereby disengagement of the at least one retention spring or band by movement of the button and plunger mechanism allows movement of the spring-loaded locking pin into a space beneath the button and plunger mechanism, wherein the exercise machine further comprises an opposing transverse plunger attached to a first end of the at least one retention band or spring for sliding the spring-loaded locking pin out of the space beneath the button and plunger mechanism, wherein the transverse plunger comprises an eyelet attached to a second end of the at least one retention band or spring, wherein a leading edge of the eyelet moves the spring-loaded locking pin out of the space beneath the button and plunger mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an interface for detailing performance based on positional sensing of the platform along the longitudinal central spine, resistance on the at least one retention spring or band, and a speed of travel of the platform along the longitudinal central spine.   
     
     
         14 . An exercise machine comprising:
 a frame having at least one longitudinal rail extending between a first support member and a second support member,   a carriage supporting a platform moveable along the at least one longitudinal rail,   at least one retention spring or band attached to the carriage,   a monitor for monitoring whether each of the at least one retention spring or band is engaged or disengaged,   a sensor for monitoring a position of the platform along the at least one longitudinal rail,   a cross bar pivotally connected to an end of the frame by at least one pivot arm,   wherein the at least one retention spring or band is selectively attachable to the frame and at least one cord is extendable from the carriage of the frame and terminates in a handle,   wherein the at least one cord is selectively positionable between a first position and a second position,   wherein in the first position, the at least one cord extends around a first pulley back towards the carriage such that applying tension on the at least one cord moves the carriage, and   wherein in the second position, the at least one cord extends around a second pulley spaced apart from the first pulley and the handle of the cord receives a part of the cross bar such that applying tension on the at least one cord applies tension to the cross bar.   
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 an interface for detailing performance based on positional sensing of the platform along the at least one longitudinal rail, resistance on the at least one retention spring or band, and a speed of travel of the platform along the at least one longitudinal rail.   
     
     
         16 . An exercise machine comprising:
 a frame having at least one longitudinal rail extending between a first support member and a second support member,   a carriage supporting a platform moveable along the at least one longitudinal rail,   at least one retention spring or band attached to the carriage,   a monitor for monitoring whether each of the at least one retention spring or band is engaged or disengaged,   a sensor for monitoring a position of the platform along the at least one longitudinal rail, and   a movable locking pin,   wherein the at least one retention spring or band is selectively attachable to the frame by a button and plunger mechanism,   wherein the movable locking pin is provided in a channel transverse to a direction of movement of the button and plunger mechanism whereby disengagement of the at least one retention spring or band by movement of the button and plunger mechanism allows movement of the moveable locking pin into a space previously occupied by the button and plunger mechanism.   
     
     
         17 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the locking pin is spring-loaded. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an opposing transverse plunger attached to an end of the carriage for sliding the movable locking pin out of a space beneath the plunger.   
     
     
         19 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the at least one retention spring or band is provided with an eyelet at an end thereof, and wherein a leading edge of the eyelet forms the opposing transverse plunger. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an interface for detailing performance based on positional sensing of the platform along the at least one longitudinal rail, resistance on the at least one retention spring or band, and a speed of travel of the platform along the at least one longitudinal rail.