WO2016035029A1

WO2016035029A1 - Hip thrust machine

Info

Publication number: WO2016035029A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/056672
Authority: WO
Inventors: Veronica PORTEROS DE LUZ
Original assignee: Porteros De Luz Veronica
Priority date: 2014-09-02
Filing date: 2015-09-02
Publication date: 2016-03-10
Also published as: EP3188808A1

Abstract

An exercise machine provides a housing for a pulley mechanism, the pulley mechanism being coupled by a cable to a user selected weight from a plurality of weights. A person uses the machine by bracing their lower body against a foot brace and thrusting their hips up against a core-engaging member. The core-engaging member, via the pulley system, resists the motion of the user and creates a strengthening workout thanks to the coupling between the plurality of weights and the core-engaging member via the pulley system. A variable amount of weight may be selected in order to adjust the difficulty of the exercise.

Description

Hip Thrust Machine

The current application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent application serial number 62/044,865 filed on September 2, 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an exercise apparatus that enables a user to perform hip strengthening exercises in a horizontal position while minimizing the risk of injury. More specifically, the present invention facilitates hip thrust exercises that work the gluteal muscles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention allows a user to do hip and gluteal muscle-strengthening exercises in a horizontal position without risking serious injury. This is important as injury due to the improper positioning of a barbell can seriously damage one's back. Additionally, there can be certain discomfort when performing variations associate with either the bar or the bench. The bar can be difficult to manage and bigger (and thus heavier) plates may be needed to provide sufficient clearance for a person to position their hips below the bar. Another drawback is that the more involved set-up may be a deterrent to keeping a good workout "flow".

Hip thrusts are usually a free weight exercise,that is performed without the assistance of a machine. A common method for performing a hip thrust begins with a person reclining horizontally on a bench, balancing a weight on their hips, and pushing the weight upwards (i.e. in a vertical direction) with the hips. There is a danger of the weight falling off the person or the person not being able to sustain the weight, resulting in the person falling back to the bench and the weight injuring their body.

The present invention provides a novel solution to these problems by providing a means to stop weights from injuring a person during hip thrust exercises; currently, there is no other invention that accomplishes this.

The present invention has built-in mechanical checks that prevent the weight from falling off the person doing the exercises and stops the weight from impacting and injuring the hips or abdomen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a hand-drawn sketch showing basic construction and configuration for the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a hand-drawn sketch showing a top view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a hand-drawn sketch showing a side view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing basic construction and configuration for a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a top view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a picture showing a person initiating a hip thrust exercise without use of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a picture showing a person at the top of a hip thrust exercise without use of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention, a hip thrust machine, includes a number of components that can be assembled to create a machine allowing a person doing hip thrust exercises to condition the gluteus maximus, hamstrings, and hip stabilizing muscles without risking injury due to the weight falling on the hips, abdomen, or on to the floor. More specifically, the present invention comprises a pulley housing, a pulley, a cable, a weight housing, a plurality of weights, a core-engaging member, an adjustable seat, a pair of foot pads, and a mounting frame. A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 - FIG. 3B while a second embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 - FIG. 7. The motion of a hip thrust exercise, independent of the present invention, is illustrated in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B.

The general mode of construction is along the lines of a bench press machine, where the user lays on their back on a bench, pressing upward with the body against a weight and keeping themselves pressed to the seat by means of the feet opposingly pressing against the pair of foot pads (8). The foot pads act as a leg brace, allowing a user to press upwards with their hips by using the leg brace as leverage. The user begins with by reclining their back on the seat (7), with the upper legs pressing against a hip thrust (6), the hip thrust being a core-engaging member. The core-engaging member is positioned perpendicular to the user's body, across their stomach or hips.

The core-engaging member is linked to the plurality of weights by a cable, the cable being coupled to said plurality of weights through a pulley. The cable (3) is wound about the one (or more) pulleys (2) attached to the pulley housing frame (1). The cables raise and lower the weights (5) in the weight housing (4), as the weights are slidably engaged within the weight housing. These components are mounted to the general frame (9) which rests on a floor as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The one (or more) pulleys (2) can be used to directly connect the plurality of weights (5) to the core-engaging member (6) or can be used in conjunction with a lever arm in order to connect the plurality of weights (5) to the core-engaging member (6). If two pulleys (2) are used, as shown in FIG. 1 - FIG. 3B, the cable (3) is engaged around each of the pulleys (2), with one end of the cable (3) being coupled to the plurality of weights (5) and the other end being coupled to the core-engaging member (6). As a result, when a person thrusts their hips up against the core-engaging member (6), the cable (3) pulls the plurality of weights (5) up via tension in the cable.

If one pulley (2) is used with a lever arm, then the lever arm is directly mounted on the pulley (2), as illustrated in FIG. 4 - FIG. 7. The cable (3) is coupled to the plurality of weights (5) at one end and engaged with the pulley (2) at the other end. As a result, movement of the lever arm imparts a corresponding rotation to the pulley (2). The lever arm is also connected to the core-engaging member (6), such that when a user thrusts their hips up against the core-engaging member (6), the motion is transferred to the pulley (2) via the lever arm. More specifically, the lever arm has a fixed end (where the lever arm is connected to the pulley) and a free end (where the lever arm is connected to the core-engaging member). The free end is able to rotate with the core-engaging member (6). As the core-engaging member (6) rotates, the lever arm causes the pulley (2) to rotate in a corresponding fashion; the cable then pulls on the plurality of weights (5), creating a core-strengthening workout for the user.

To operate the present invention, the user reclines on their back on the adjustable seat (7), extending the legs underneath the leg brace [foot pads (8)], with the core- engaging member [hip thrust (6)] extended perpendicularly across the lower abdomen and hips. The user then thrusts the lower abdomen and hips upwards against the hip thrust (6) attached to the weights. The weights move up by the means of a cable (3) wound around the one or more pulleys (2) attached to the frame (1). The weights (5) return to their original position when the user relaxes, but are stopped just above the chest/hips so as to not crush the user's body. This user is this provided with a safe and easy-to-use means for performing a hip thrust exercise.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred

embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hip thrust machine comprises:

a frame;

an adjustable seat;

a pulley system;

a core-engaging member;

a weight housing;

a plurality of weights;

the adjustable seat being connected atop the frame;

the pulley system being adjacently connected to the frame; the weight housing being mounted atop the frame;

the plurality of weights being slidably engaged within the weight housing; the core-engaging member being positioned above the adjustable seat; the core-engaging member being coupled to the plurality of weights through the pulley system, wherein the pulley system transfers motion of the core- engaging member to the plurality of weights;

2. The hip thrust as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the pulley system comprises a cable, a first pulley, and a second pulley; the cable being engaged with the first pulley and the second pulley;

the core-engaging member being connected to the plurality of weights by the cable, wherein movement of the core-engaging member causes the plurality of weights to be raised or lowered;

3. The hip thrust as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the pulley system comprises a cable, a pulley, and a lever arm;

a fixed end of the lever arm being mounted to the pulley;

the cable being engaged with the pulley;

the core-engaging member being connected to a free end of the lever arm, wherein movement of the core-engaging member imparts rotation to the pulley; the pulley being connected to the plurality of weights by the cable, wherein rotation of the pulley causes the plurality of weights to be raised or lowered;

4. The hip thrust as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the adjustable seat comprises a lower body portion and an upper body portion; and

the upper body portion being hingedly connected to the lower body portion, wherein a user can rotate the upper body portion in order to adjustable the angle between the upper body portion and the lower body portion.

5. The hip thrust as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

a leg brace;

the leg brace being adjacently connected to the frame; and

the leg brace being positioned adjacent to a lower body portion of the adjustable seat.