ES2727930T3 - Reformer exercise apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An arm rope support lift (112) for use in a reformer exercise apparatus having a generally rectangular frame supporting a cart for movement between a head end and a foot end of the frame on parts of side rails spaced parallel to the frame, and a frame supported foot bar near the end of the feet, the arm rope support lift comprising: a hollow elongated cylindrical tube (224) having a central axis and adapted to be mounted vertically at the head end of the frame, the tube carrying a first pulley wheel (238) disposed therein near an upper end of the tube adjacent to a tube outlet opening, the first pulley wheel rotating about an axis horizontal carried on the tube; characterized in that it further comprises a guide (236) in the tube on either side of the outlet opening adjacent to the first pulley wheel to direct an arm chord out of the tube, where each guide rotates about an axis within the tube parallel to the central axis.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Reformer exercise apparatus

Description Background

Description Field

This description refers to an exercise apparatus. In particular, it refers to a reformer exercise apparatus of a new and contemporary design that has a series of unique innovations.

State of the art

Exercise machines used in performing physical exercises created by Joseph Pilates are typically performed on a stationary device called a reformer. A traditional reformer has a rectangular wooden or metal frame that supports two parallel rails or rails. A carriage with wheels moves on these rails and is elastically deflected towards the foot end of the frame by one or more elastic elements, typically helical springs. A user sits or lies in the car and pushes against a foot support bar at the end of the feet to move the car away from and towards the end of the feet. Alternatively, the user can grab the ends of a pair of ropes or belts that pass through pulleys at the head end of the frame and are attached to the carriage to pull the car similarly to and from the foot end of the frame.

An emphasis on Pilates training is in the stabilization of the core muscles. The exercises that are performed in the reformer are ideally carried out carefully by the user, concentrating on the symmetry of the body and the symmetrical movement of the body and the correct alignment of the torso during the exercise. It is often difficult for a user to perceive when he is correctly focused on the reformer and exert equal forces with both arms or both legs during the required movements. In addition, the user must get off the reformer or an assistant must change the positions of the foot support bar as necessary for different exercises. This is at least an inconvenience for the user. In addition, the user must then reposition his body in the car to recover the correct alignment.

The ends of the strings of the arms are generally stuffed through holes in the carriage platform to move them away from the user's path or placed on the sides of the carriage. This way they can drag on the ground under the car. The user also has difficulty adjusting the length of the strings of the arms while lying on the car of the reformer. The user generally has to sit upright, adjust the length of the strings of the arms in the stop clamps and then reposition on the surface of the car.

The rails on which the carriage moves are typically horizontal surfaces that accumulate dust and dirt over time and, therefore, the wheels and rails must be cleaned often. In addition, the user must be careful not to drop his clothes on the rails to prevent such clothes from interfering with the operation of the carriage rollers.

Therefore, there is a need for a reformer apparatus that is simple and easy to use, easy to adjust for the user without getting off the reformer carriage, and overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks.

CN patent 2394663 Y describes a spring resistance source of a tubular chest developer of a sports weight training apparatus. A tension spring is arranged in a tube body of the tubular chest developer. One end of the tension spring is fixed, and the other end is provided with a movable pulley wheel. The mobile pulley is provided with a nylon rope. Simultaneously, a pulley wheel is additionally arranged in the opening position at one end provided with the pulley wheel of the tube body, so that both ends of the nylon rope are guided out of the tube body by the two wheels of pulley.

US 7,163,498 B1 describes an exercise device that includes two tubes that act as guides for tension ropes with handles. The tubes are pivotally mounted on a frame. Three pulleys are provided in relation to the tubes, all three revolve around a horizontal axis. Two of these pulleys are placed above, and out of the tube to limit the retraction of the pull end of the tension rope. The other pulley is mounted outside and under the tube inside the frame of the exercise device.

Compendium of the description

According to one aspect of the invention, an arm rope support lift is provided for use in a reformer exercise apparatus having a generally rectangular frame that supports a carriage for movement between a head end and a foot end. of the frame into portions of side rails spaced parallel to the frame, and a foot bar supported by the frame near the end of the feet. The arm rope support elevator comprises: a hollow elongated cylindrical tube that has a central axis and is adapted to be mounted vertically on the head end of the frame, the tube carrying a first pulley wheel disposed therein close to it. an upper end of the tube, adjacent to an outlet opening of the tube, rotating the first pulley wheel around a horizontal axis carried on the tube; and a guide in the tube on each side of the outlet opening adjacent to the first pulley wheel to direct an arm rope out of the tube, where each guide rotates around an axis inside the tube parallel to the central axis .

According to another aspect of the invention, a reformer exercise apparatus has a generally rectangular frame that supports a carriage for movement between a head end and a foot end of the frame in portions of side rails spaced parallel to the frame, and a bar of feet supported by the frame, where the head end of the frame has a pair of spaced vertical holes formed therein, and an arm rope support elevator arranged in each hole. Each arm rope support elevator comprises: a tube having a central axis; a first pulley wheel rotatably supported within an upper end of the tube; a second pulley wheel inside the tube near a lower end of the tube; and a guide adjacent to the first wheel to direct an arm rope around the first pulley wheel, where the guide rotates within the tube about an axis parallel to the central axis.

According to another aspect of the invention, a reformer exercise apparatus is provided comprising: a generally rectangular frame that supports a carriage for movement between a head end and a foot end of the frame in portions of side rails spaced parallel to the frame ; a deflection element between the carriage and the foot end to push the carriage towards the foot end of the frame; wherein the head end of the frame has a pair of spaced vertical holes, each of which supports a rope support elevator comprising: a hollow cylindrical tube having a central axis and carrying a first pulley wheel arranged in its interior near an upper end of the tube, rotating the first pulley wheel around a horizontal axis carried on the tube; and a guide in the tube on each side of an outlet opening adjacent to the first pulley wheel to direct an arm rope out of the tube, where each guide rotates within the tube about an axis parallel to the central axis.

A selection of optional features is set out in the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The description will be better understood, and the objectives, in addition to those set out above, will become apparent when the following detailed description is considered. Such description refers to the attached drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a reformer exercise apparatus according to an embodiment of the present description.

Figure 2 is a separate perspective view of the reformer frame shown in Figure 1 in accordance with the present description.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a rail element of one side of the frame taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the foot end of a reformer in accordance with the present description.

Figure 5 is a separate perspective view of a foot bar used in the reformer exercise apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an exterior perspective view of a foot bar support assembly of the right side rail element according to the present description.

Figure 7 is an inside perspective view of the foot bar support assembly of the right side rail element shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a left rail element taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing the arrangement of the foot bar support assembly inside. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the reformer exercise apparatus shown in Figure 1 taken along line 9-9 of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of the head end of the reformer apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 11 is a separate perspective view of the lower pulley wheel assembly for the head end elevator of the apparatus shown in Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a separate exploded perspective view of the carriage of the reformer exercise apparatus shown in Figure 1 in accordance with the present description.

Figure 13 is a bottom plan view of the head end portion of the carriage shown in Figure 1 according to the present description showing the latch elements of the rope retraction mechanism coupled with the reel reels of rope.

Figure 14 is a bottom plan view of the head end portion of the carriage as in Figure 13 with the latch elements uncoupled from the rope reel spools.

Figure 15 is a sectional view through the carriage taken along line 15-15 of Figure 14. Figure 16 is a perspective view of the lower side of a carriage having a rope retraction system of according to an alternative embodiment of the present description.

Figure 17 is a bottom side view as in Figure 17 showing the rope retraction system in a released position.

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the lower side of the head end of an alternative car according to the present description.

Figure 19 is a side view of the carriage head end shown in Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a side view of the head end of the carriage shown in Figure 18 with the headrest in a first raised position.

Figure 21 is a side view of the head end of the carriage shown in Figure 18 with the headrest in a second raised position.

Figure 22 is a perspective view of the head end of an alternative reformer according to the present description.

Figure 23 is an exploded interior view separated from the head end assembly of the alternative reformer shown in Figure 22.

Figure 24 is a separate exploded interior view in perspective of the foot end assembly of the alternative reformer shown in Figure 22.

Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view of one of the two side rails of the frame in the alternative reformer shown in Figure 22.

Figure 26 is a separate perspective assembled view of an elevator used in the reformer shown in Figure 22.

Figure 27 is an exploded perspective view of the elevator shown in Figure 26.

Figure 28 is a partial sectional view of the elevator shown in Figure 26 installed in the head end fitting of the reformer shown in Figure 22.

Figure 29 is a separate perspective interior view of the foot bar support assembly used in the reformer shown in Figure 22.

Figure 30 is an exterior perspective view of the foot bar support assembly shown in Figure 29.

Figure 31 is a separate view of the bottom perspective side of the carriage frame assembly of the carriage shown in Figure 22.

Figure 32 is a bottom perspective view of the support mat removed from the carriage shown in Figure 22.

Figure 33 is a separate perspective view of a shoulder support used in the reformer shown in Figure 22.

Figure 34 is an exploded partial top view of the reformer carriage shown in Figure 22. Figure 35 is an inverted view of the carriage removed from the reformer shown in Figure 22 showing the rope retraction system of according to this alternative embodiment.

Figure 36 is a plan view of the lower side of the carriage head end shown in Figure 35 with the rope retraction system in a rope locking position.

Figure 37 is a view as in Figure 36 with the rope retraction system in a position of Unlocking the rope.

Figure 38 is a perspective view of the head end of the car with the headrest in a lowered position.

Figure 39 is a perspective view of a pair of reformers shown in Figure 22 in a stacked configuration for storage.

Figure 40 is a perspective view of the lower part of the carriage head end showing the elevators and shoulder stops ready for installation in the storage position as shown in Figure 39.

Figure 41 is a perspective view of the reformer shown in Figure 22, which includes an optional vertical trapeze tower and conversion into a mat according to the present description.

Figure 42 is a perspective view of a trapezoid tower socket aligned against the end of a side rail of the reformer shown in Figure 41 for connection to the extrusion of the head end.

Figure 43 is a sectional view through the socket of the trapezoid tower of the tower shown in Figure 41.

Figure 44 is a partial view cut through one of the prominences of the elevator at the head end of the reformer shown in Figure 41, showing an alternative lower pulley assembly installed therein.

Figure 45 is a perspective view of a reformer as in Figure 22 with an alternative vertical trapezoid tower and conversion into a mat according to the present description.

Figure 46 is a perspective view of the hand grip end portion of an arm rope for use with a reformer in accordance with the present description.

Figure 47 is a perspective view as in Figure 46 with a handle attached to the arm rope according to the present description.

Figure 48 is a perspective view of the reformer shown in Figure 22 with a jump board installed at the foot end of the reformer frame.

Figure 49 is an enlarged vertical partial sectional view through one of the two posts that support the jump board installed at the foot end of the reformer frame.

Detailed description

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more complete description. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the described technique can be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, well-known characteristics may not have been described in detail so as not to complicate the described technique.

A perspective view of an embodiment of a reformer exercise apparatus 100 is shown in Figure 1. The apparatus 100 has a generally rectangular frame 102 with a head end 104 and a foot end 106. The ends 104 and 106 are separated by a pair of rail elements 108. A carriage 110 is movably supported on the rail elements 108 to move back and forth between the ends 104 and 106 of the frame 102.

A foot bar 111 is positioned near the foot end 106 of the frame 102. This foot bar 111 is transported by the rail elements 108 as will be described in detail below. The head end 104 of the frame 102 preferably supports a removable pair of spaced vertical arm rope support lifts 112. These elevators 112 direct the ropes 114 of the arms from the car 110 to the clips 116 of the ends of the ropes or hand grips of a user for use in various exercises. When not in use, the end clips 116 may be conveniently placed on shoulder stops 118 as shown in Figure 1. The carriage 110 is elastically deflected towards the foot end 116 of the frame 102 by one or more elastic elements such as springs 120.

A separate perspective view of the frame 102 is shown in Figure 2. Each of between the head end 104, the foot end 106 and the side rail elements 108 has a similar outer surface shape that merges smoothly with the others. This shape includes an exterior vertical wall 122 that merges with a horizontal upper wall 124 that merges with an interior wall 126 inclined downwardly and inwardly. The inner wall 126 is fused into a vertical skirt part 128. Therefore, the entire frame 102 includes a vertical outer wall 122, an inner wall 126 inclined downwardly and inwardly and a vertical skirt portion 128.

The head and foot ends 104 and 106 have curved outer ends 107 that bend in and fuse gently with the side rail elements 108. The head end 104 further includes prominences to receive the elevators 112. The foot end 106 has an anchor support plate 121 extending between the curved ends 107 to support the ends of the deflection elements or springs 120 to deflect the car 110 as mentioned above.

Extending downward from each curved end 107 is a vertical support leg 129 formed in a complementary manner. These support legs 129 can be removed to place the ends 104 and 106 of the frame 102 on a flat surface such as a floor. The support legs 129 can be exchanged with longer or shorter support legs to change the height of the apparatus 100 above such a floor support surface.

A sectional view of a side rail element 108 is shown in Figure 3. Each rail element 108 is preferably an aluminum extrusion having an identical cross-sectional shape. The rail element 108, as mentioned above, has an outer vertical wall 122 that merges into a horizontal upper wall 124 and then into an inner wall 126 inclined downward and then into a part 128 of vertical skirt. The end elements 104 and 106 have the same outer shape, but differ internally from the side rail elements 108.

As shown in Figure 3, each side rail element 108 has a vertical middle wall 130 between the inclined inner wall 126 and the vertical outer wall 122. The middle wall 130 has an outwardly oriented upper prominence 132 that extends longitudinally and an outwardly oriented lower prominence 134 extending longitudinally parallel to the upper prominence 132. Together, the middle wall 130, the upper prominence 132 and the lower prominence 134 form an externally open groove 136 therebetween. This slot 136 receives and carries one of the foot bar support assemblies therein, as will be described in detail below. Between the middle wall 130 and the inclined inner wall 126 there is a horizontal upper support wall 138. The support wall 138 extends the length of the rail element 108 and provides torsional rigidity to the structure of the rail element 108. A horizontal lower part 140 of the middle wall 130 acts as a support for a set of wheels supporting the carriage 110. The upper wall 138 also serves as an upper guide for the carriage support wheels in the rail elements 108. In addition, the middle wall 130 between the upper and lower walls 138 and 140 and the skirt portion 128 serve as a lateral guide for the carriage 110.

The upper prominence 132 preferably has a vertical part 142 extending downwards parallel to the middle wall 130. This vertical part 142 is used to provide lateral support for the foot support assembly described in more detail below. In addition, the lower prominence 134 may include a reference rail 144 that extends downward. Alternatively, the reference rail 144 may be installed along the length of the rail element 108 by a separate and replaceable metal reference rail carried on the prominence 134.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one foot end 106 of the frame 102. The foot end 106 carries the anchor plate 121 to receive the free ends of one or more of the springs 120. A plurality of pins 148 spaced apart with hourglass reel shapes are each positioned to receive a ring from a spring 120 to secure the spring 120 to the foot end 106 of the frame 102. Each of these pins 148 preferably narrows upwardly and inwardly from its base. up to a waist at a first angle from the central axis of the plug and then outward at a second angle greater than the first angle, so that the free end of a spring placed on pin 148, when under tension, remains firmly at the waist of the plug 148.

Each corner of the frame 102, formed by ends 104 and 106, includes curved exterior vertical wall 122, upper wall 124 and interior wall 126 inclined inward. Preferably, the inner wall 126 ends in a lower vertical part 128 of the skirt. The foot end 106 also includes two tubular prominences 146 of separate foot support formed therein. These foot support prominences 146 are used to support a flat, generally rectangular (not shown) foot platform often called a "jump board." This jump board is a rectangular plate that has two separate parallel support posts that fit removably on the foot support prominences 146.

The foot bar 111 shown in Figure 1 will now be specifically described with reference to Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The foot bar 111 is part of a foot support assembly that cannot be seen in Figure 1. This foot bar 111 is shown separately in Figure 5. Foot bar 111 has a central horizontal part 150 of foot support between two parallel leg portions 152. Each leg portion 152 terminates in a connection portion 154 that is attached to one of the two foot bar support assemblies 170.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, the connecting part 154 is screwed or otherwise fastened to a lower end 156 of an elongate arm 158 supporting the foot bar. The arm 158, which is best shown in Figure 6, is an elongated flat plate element having a coupling pin 161 projecting outwardly from the upper end 160 of the arm 158. The arm 158 also has a pivot groove 162 closed extending radially parallel to leg portion 152 of the foot bar 111 and separated from where part 154 of Foot bar 111 connection is attached to arm 158.

The foot support assembly of the reformer 100 shown in Figure 1 includes a left foot bar support assembly 170, the foot bar 111, and a right foot bar support assembly 170. Figures 6 and 7 are reverse perspective views of a right assembly of the foot bar support assemblies 170 according to an embodiment of the present description. Each leg 152 of the foot bar 111 is supported by one of the foot bar support assemblies 170. As best shown in Figure 6, the assembly 170 includes the foot bar support arm 158 to which the foot bar 111 is attached, a sliding portion 172 that travels in the groove 136 of the rail member 108 side, and a hitch plate 174 that is rigidly attached to the sliding part 172. This hitch plate 174 has a series of elements, preferably grooves or notches 176, 178, 180, 182 and 184 separated along the upper edge of the hitch plate 174. The pin 161 protruding outwardly from the upper end 160 of the foot bar support arm 158 fits into one of these notches 176-184 to place the foot bar 111 at a particular desired angular position with respect to the frame 102 of reformer 100.

The support arm 158 of the foot bar is slidably and pivotally connected to the hitch plate 174 by means of a bolt 186 and a square bushing 188. The bushing 188 moves between and along the parallel sides of a recess 190 on arm 158 around pivot groove 162. Since the foot bar 111 is attached to the arm 158, when a user lifts the foot bar 111, the support arm 158 moves up or down along the groove 162. In turn, the pin 161 protruding outward from the upper end 160 of the support arm 158 is lifted out of one of the grooves along the upper edge of the hitch plate 174. When raised in this manner, a user can then rotate the foot bar 111 around the pivot bolt 186 to a different groove between the grooves 176, 178, 180, 182 or 184 to reposition the foot bar 111. When the foot bar 111 is lowered, the pin 161 slides down into one of the grooves to secure the foot bar 111 in position.

The grooves or notches 176 and 184 of end have a special importance in this embodiment 100. When the foot bar 111 has its two pins 161 positioned in the grooves 176, the foot bar 111 is rotatably positioned below the upper surface of the frame 102 and beyond the foot end of frame 102. In this position, the foot bar 111 can be used as a handle to lift the foot end of the reformer 100. To ensure that the foot bar 111 does not disengage from the groove 176, the terminal end of the groove 176 is curved upwards, as can be seen in Figure 6, to firmly engage with the pin 161 at the closed end of the groove 176. To disengage the foot bar 111 from this slot 176, the foot bar 111 must be pushed down and pulled back (away from the end of the feet) to align the pin 161 with the widened inlet of the slot. The foot bar 111 can then be turned up and removed from the groove 176 and repositioned in a different groove between the grooves 178, 180, 182 and 184.

The frontmost groove 184 of the hitch plate 174 is used to position the foot support assembly comprising each of the sets 170 and the foot bar 111 together for movement along the rail elements 108. As the foot bar 111 is raised and rotated clockwise, as seen in Figure 6, the arm 158 rotates around the bolt 186 clockwise until the clock pin 161 engages an overhanging surface 192 at the front end (toward the head end 104) of the hitch plate 174. In this position, a shoulder 194 on the support arm 158 engages with a latch pin 196 protruding through a groove 198 in the hitch plate 174. The latch pin 196 protrudes through the latch plate 174 from a latch arm 200 that you see best in Figure 7. When the foot bar 111 is lowered, the shoulder 194 of the arm 158 pushes the latch pin 196 toward down. The latch arm 200 is an elongated bar having an end rotatably attached to the inner face of the hitch plate 174. The latch arm 200 can rotate in a plane parallel to the inner surface of the hitch plate 174. The other end of the latch arm 200 has a latch portion 202 that is coupled to a reference element complementary to the rail member 108 to secure the assembly 170 in a selected position along the rail member 108. The latch arm 200 is spring-loaded upwardly through the spring member 201 to keep the latch portion 202 of the latch arm 200 engaged with the reference rail member 144 in the rail member 108.

When the foot bar 111 is positioned with the pins 161 in the slots 184, and the foot bar 111 is pushed down to fully seat the pins 161 at the bottom of the slots 184, the latch pins 196 are also pushed toward below, by turning the latch arm 200 and moving the latch portion 202 out of the coupling with the reference rail reference element 144 in the rail member 108. With the latch portions 202 decoupled from the rail elements 108, the foot bar 111 can move toward or away from the foot end 106 of the frame 102 through the casters 206. In fact, the foot bar 111 can be moved completely to the opposite end of rail elements 108 if desired.

The slide assembly 172 is best seen in the view of Figure 7, which is an inside perspective view of the foot bar support assembly 170 shown in Figure 6 that travels in the rail element 108 of the right side. The slide assembly 172 includes an elongated slide plate 204 that is preferably screwed or otherwise secured to the hitch plate 174. This sliding plate 204 is it displaces in the groove 136 of the rail element 108 with the hitch plate 174 and the support arm 158 of the adjacent foot bar arranged within the free / open space between the outer wall 122 and the middle wall 130 of the rail element 108 . It should be understood that another set 170 of specular image foot support is disposed on the other (left) rail element 108.

A sectional view of a left rail element 108 is shown in Figure 8 as in Figure 3 with the left foot bar support assembly 170 mounted in the slot 136. All component parts of the assembly 170 are disposed between the outer wall 122 and the middle wall 130 of rail 108. Thus, the complete foot bar support assembly 170 is hidden from view of a user sitting in the car 110. It should be understood that the right support assembly 170 of the Foot bar on the right rail element 108 is similarly constructed. Thus, the component parts of the assemblies 170 are either interchangeable or mirror images. For example, the support arms 158 of the foot bar and the hitch plates 174 are specular. The rest of the component parts of the assembly 170 can be interchangeable.

Turning now to Figure 7, the sliding plate 204 is supported in the slot 136 by front and rear support casters 206 that roll along the bottom surface of the slot 136. A guide roller 208 which rotates around A vertical axis through the sliding plate 204 is preferably mounted adjacent to each support wheel 206. The guide rollers 208 roll along inner side surfaces of the groove 136 in the rail member 108 to guide the support assembly 170, and thus the foot bar 111, as it travels (i.e., wheel) forward and backward along rail elements 108.

The support casters 206 are preferably polymer wheels with bearings rotatably supported on horizontal axes. The polymer wheels are sized to fit and roll smoothly inside the groove 136. The guide rollers 208 can be nylon or other polymer rollers supported by a vertical axis in the slide plate 204.

An additional sectional view through the left rail element 108 of the apparatus 100 is shown in Figure 9 as in Figure 1 taken along the line 9-9 of Figure 1. This view shows the support assembly 170 of feet carried inside the rail element 108, as well as the support arrangement with wheels for the carriage 110. Specifically, the generally rectangular carriage 110 has four support wheels 210, one adjacent to each corner, and at least two wheels 212 of carriage guide preferably positioned along one side of carriage 110 that also travels in the space between the middle wall 130, the interior inclined wall 126, the skirt part 128 and the bottom part 140 of the middle wall 130 of rail element 108. The support wheels 210 roll on the bottom 140.

The guide wheels 212 roll between the middle wall 130 and the skirt portion 128 of the inner wall 126 to maintain alignment of the carriage 110 as it moves between the end 106 of feet and the head end 104 of the frame 102. Due to the guide configuration of the rail element 108, only two guide wheels 212 are necessary, both along only one side, to guide the movement of the carriage 110. The guide wheels 212 are arranged only in one of the rail elements 108. However, three or four guide wheels 212 may be arranged in alternative configurations of the car 110.

Thus, in the reformer 100 shown in Figure 1, both the support for the carriage 110 and the support for the foot bar 111 are provided by low structures, and carried inside, the side rail elements 108 and They are thus hidden from the external view. This arrangement gives the reformer 100 a clean and tidy appearance and minimizes surface areas that can accumulate dust over time. In addition, in order to provide the user of the exercise apparatus 100 with direct feedback of the position of the foot bar, a "J" shaped indicator element 214 is attached to one or both of the sliding plates 172. A distal tip 216 of the indicator 214 extends around a bottom edge and upwardly out of the wall 122 of the side rail element 108 to provide a user of the reformer 100 with an indication of the position of the foot support assembly. Corresponding marks (not shown) may be arranged along the outer wall 122 for a user to use when positioning the foot bar 111 in preselected positions along the frame 102.

The notch 178 on the hitch plate 174 is used to place the foot bar 111 in the lowest position above the frame 102. The notch 180 places the foot bar 111 at a mid-height position above the frame 102. The notch 182 corresponds to the foot bar 111 in a substantially vertical position, and thus its highest position above the frame 102. Additional notches may be arranged to facilitate additional positions of the foot bar. However, it is believed that a low, moderate and high position is sufficient for most users of the apparatus 100.

A low friction layer 218 of polymer sheet material (shown in Figure 6) is fixed to the outer surface of the hitch plate 174 between the hitch plate 174 and the support arm 158. This layer reduces any friction between the arm and the plate during the rotation of the foot bar 111 between the notches 176, 178, 180 182 and 184. Alternatively, the low friction layer 218 can be applied to the inner surface of the arm 158. In addition, a low friction layer 218 can optionally be applied to these two facing surfaces.

The structure of the foot support assembly may be different from that specifically illustrated and described. For example, the casters 206 and rollers 208 could be replaced by sheets of low friction material to allow the slide plate 204 to slide easily along the groove 136. The configuration of the support arm 158, the plate 174 of hook and slide plate 172 may be different from that of the exemplary embodiment shown. Other additional mechanisms can be used to couple and decouple assembly 170 by elements in rail elements 108 of frame 102.

Referring again to Figure 1, at the head end 104 of the reformer apparatus 100 there are two separate elevators 112 to direct the cords 114 of the arms from the carriage 110 to the head end 104 and then to the clips 116 of the ends of the strings of the arms. Referring now to the close perspective view of one of the elevators 112 of the head end 104 shown in Figure 10, each of these elevators 112 includes a lower pulley wheel assembly 220 held in a tubular prominence 222 of the elevator formed adjacent to each curved end 107 of the head end 104. Each elevator 112 also includes a hollow tubular body 224 having its lower end embedded within the tubular prominence 222 of the elevator. The upper end 228 of the tubular body 224 of the elevator has a cylindrical roller head 230. This roller head 230 includes a tubular body 232 that fits into, or is integrally formed with, the body 224. The tubular body 232 has an elongated opening 234 through its side. A pair of vertically aligned guide rollers 236 are mounted on the head 230 on both sides of the opening 234. Mounted inside and transversely through the tubular body 232 behind the opening 234 is a horizontal rope pulley wheel or roller 238.

The lower pulley wheel assembly 220 is shown separately in perspective view in Figure 11. The lower pulley wheel assembly 220 has a cylindrical body 240 with flange that is attached to the bottom of the prominence 222. Cover inside of the body 240 there is a pulley wheel 242 mounted on a horizontal axis and an inclined rope guide disc 244. The guide disc 244 is positioned in the body 240 above the wheel 242 at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. An opening 246 is provided in the disk 244 along its bottom edge. This opening 246 is oriented directly on the periphery of the pulley wheel 242, such that a free end of an arm rope 114 that descends into the elevator 112 through the opening 234 of the head assembly 230 is directed on the roller 238 and down through the tubular body 224 and through the opening 246 and beyond the pulley wheel 242. A user can grab the free end of the rope 114 and attach the rope to the carriage 110 as described in detail below.

The head assembly 230 can be fixed to the tubular body 224 or optionally can be supported in a bearing thereon, so that it can freely rotate about a vertical axis through the elevator 112. Each of the adjacent guide rollers The opening 234 may be mounted on stationary vertical pins or be supported on a bearing, so that the rope 114 can be pulled through the opening 234 with minimal resistance or friction. The pulley wheel 242 of the lower or lower part is oriented with its normal axis to the rail elements 108 since the movement of the carriage 110 is always towards or away from the head end 104 of the frame 102.

A exploded perspective view of the car 110 is shown separately in Figure 12. The car 110 includes a generally rectangular frame 250, a rectangular support platform 252, a padded upper platform 254 and a pair of shoulder stops 118. The frame 250 has vertical side support plates 258, a vertical head end plate 260 and a vertical spring support plate 262, both attached to the side support plates 258. All these plates 258, 260 and 262 are also attached to the bottom of the support platform 252 to provide a rigid carriage structure. The spring support plate 262 carries one end of each of the deflection springs 120. The other end of each spring 120 may be removably attached to the anchor pins 148 to vary the elastic deflection, that is, the tension of the springs between the carriage 110 and the foot end 106 of the frame 102. The plates of Side supports 258 each support platforms 252 and 254 and provide mounting wings for support wheels 210 and guide wheels 212. The head end plate 260 has a pair of spaced openings 264 therethrough which act as guides for the strings of the arms (not shown in Figure 12).

The support platform 252 has a pair of shoulder stop supports 266 attached to its upper surface. Each of these supports 266 has a vertical hole 268 therethrough and each supports a cross pin 270 (shown in Figure 15) inside which holds the stem 272 of the shoulder stop 118 to the carriage 110. The hole 268 extends through support 266 and through support platform 252.

Figure 15 is a partial view in vertical section through the carriage 110 with the padded top platform 254 not shown. As can be seen in this view, the cross pin 270 acts as a pivot for the shoulder stop rod 272. A deflection device 274 such as a flexible rubber tube positioned against the rod 272 provides a spring force against the rod 272 to keep the rod 272 oriented vertically and leveled with the left side of the hole 268. However, when a user pulls from the top of a shoulder stop 118 toward the foot end of the frame 102, (as shown) the stop rotates around the cross pin 270, compressing the deflection device 274, and pressing a lower end 276 of the rod 272 towards the head end of the frame 102 (on the right in Figure 15).

A bottom plan view of a head end portion of the carriage 110 is shown in Figures 13 and 14. These two views illustrate the configuration of the rope retraction mechanism 280 in accordance with an embodiment of the present description. Arm strings 114 are not shown in this view for clarity. The rope retraction mechanism 280 includes, for each rope 114, a spring-deflected reel housing 282 attached to the support plate 252, a spring-deflected rope reel 284 rotatably carried in the housing 282, and an arm 286 of toothed plate latch rotatably attached to the bottom surface of the support plate 252 adjacent to the reel housing 282.

As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the two housings 282 of the rope retraction mechanism 280 are mounted side by side against the bottom surface of the platform 252. The two latch arms 286 are preferably subject plate elements for rotation around pivot pins 288 adjacent to the reels 282 of the reels, so that they can rotate in the plane of the lower surface of the support platform 252. Each latch arm 286 is preferably an elongated plate-shaped body having a serrated end 290 and an opposite end 292. The latch arms 286 are preferably mirror images of each other such that the opposite connecting ends 292 of each latch arm plate 286 are movably coupled together to join the latch arms 286 together under the support platform 252 .

The serrated end 290 of each latch arm 286 fits into the corresponding notches of elements of an edge of the adjacent rope reel 284 in the housing 282 of the adjacent reel. The serrated end 290 of each latch arm 286 also has a hook 294 that engages with the lower end 276 of the rod 272 of the shoulder stop 118. Figure 13 shows the shoulder stops 118 in a normal position and, therefore, the lower ends 276 of the stems 272 are not engaged with the hooks 294 of any of the arms 286. One or more springs are used (not shown) to deflect both latch arms 286 so that they engage with reels 284. With arms 286 in this position, arm cords 114 cannot be retracted or extended from reels 284. They are locked.

Figure 14 shows the configuration when the lower left end 276 of the rod 272 of the right shoulder stop 118 is engaged with the hook 294 of the left latch arm 286. This causes the latch arm 286 to rotate clockwise around pin 288, removing the serrated end 290 from the coupling with the left reel 284 in Figure 14. At the same time, the rotation in the direction of The clockwise of the left latch arm 286 caused the counterclockwise rotation of the clock of the right latch arm 286 through the joining ends 292. This rotation causes, similarly, the serrated end 290 of the right latch arm 286 rotates and exits the coupling with its adjacent reel 284. Thus, a user who pulls any of the shoulder stops 118 toward the foot end 106 of the frame 102 will cause both latch arms 286 to disengage from the reels 284, allowing a user to adjust either or both lengths of the cords of arm as you wish. When the shoulder stop 118 is released, the latch arms 286 are reattached with the reels 284 to lock the reels and, therefore, the arm cords 114 to the carriage 110.

In accordance with the present description, an upgrade arm rope retraction mechanism kit for a conventional reformer is also contemplated. Said kit would include suitable installation instructions, two spool housings 282 with reels 284 of arm rope inside, a pair of latch arms 286, replacement shoulder stops 118, two shoulder stop brackets 266 and a pair of pivot pins 288 to secure the latch arms 286 to the carriage.

Figures 16 and 17 illustrate an alternative rope retraction mechanism 300 mounted below the carriage 110 in accordance with the present description. The strings 114 of the arms, again, are not shown in this view for clarity. The rope retraction mechanism 300 includes, for each rope 114, a spring reel of spring-deflected rope that is mounted under the support plate 252 for rotation, in this embodiment, around a horizontal axis 304 supported from the support plate 252 between a square 306 and the side support plate 258 of the carriage frame. The rope reel 302 has a belt brake part 308 and a rope support part 310. A rope end 114 (not shown) is attached to, and wound around, the rope support portion 310 of the reel 302. As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the two reels 302 of the rope retraction mechanism 300 they are rotatably mounted side by side below the bottom surface of platform 252.

Around the belt brake portion 308 of each reel 302 is wound a cable 312 having one end attached to the support plate 252 and the other end attached to an end 318 of a pair of crossed lever arms 314. The other end 320 of each lever arm 314 is positioned to engage the lower end 276 of the stem 272 of one of the shoulder stops 118 as in the embodiment described above.

In a manner similar to the above-described embodiment of the retraction mechanism 280, the two lever arms 314 are preferably separate elements each held to rotate around a separate pivot pin 322 and are crossed and held together rotatably in scissor shape in a common pin 324 so that they can rotate around pins 322 and 324 in a plane parallel to the bottom surface of the support platform 252.

During normal operation of the reformer, the end 318 of each lever arm 314 is under tension by the spring 326. This spring 326 pulls the lever arm 314 towards the head end of the carriage 110 and thus pulls the cable 312 to tighten the cable 312 around the tape brake part 308 of its reel 302 to prevent rotation of the reel 302. When a user in the reformer 100 pulls (inclines) one of the shoulder stops 118 toward the 106 foot end of the frame 102 of the reformer, both lever arms 314 rotate in opposite directions around the pivot pins 322 and 324 to release tension in the brake cables 312 as shown in Figure 17. When the brakes are thus released, a user it can remove more rope 114 or allow an internal spring in the reel 302 to rotate the reel 302 and pick up the play of the rope 114. When the user releases the shoulder stop 118, the springs 326 pull the cables 312 again to stop the rotation of the reels 302 and, thus, secure the ropes 114 to the carriage 110.

Again, an adaptation arm rope retraction mechanism kit is also contemplated for a conventional reformer in accordance with the present description for this alternative retraction system 300. Said kit would include two retraction reels 302, shafts 304 and brackets 306, belt brake cables 312, a pair of crossed lever arms 314, springs 326, replacement shoulder stops 118, two shoulder stop supports 266 and a pair of pivot pins 322 for securing lever arms 314 to carriage 110, and appropriate installation instructions.

In an optional configuration of the carriage 110 of the reformer according to the present description, an adjustable headrest can be integrated into the structure. A partial view from below of the head end of this alternative embodiment of the car 110 is shown in Figures 18, 19, 20 and 21. In this embodiment, at the top of the carriage frame 250, the support plate 252 has a trapezoidal extension portion 350 extending towards the head end of the frame 102. The padded top plate 254 has the same general shape as in the first embodiment shown in Figure 12, but is separated into a rectangular part 352 and a headrest part 354 by a transverse hinge 356 under the padding near shoulder stops 118. An adjustable headrest support plate 358 is attached to the support plate 252 below the headrest part 354. The extension part 350 has an elongated vertical groove 357 therethrough, preferably centered between the sides of part 350 of extension. The support plate 358 has a transverse channel 360 inside which carries an adjustment rod 362 of the L-shaped headrest interspersed between the channel 360 and the extension part 350. Attached to the rod 362 is a cam block 364 that extends through the groove 357. The rotation of the rod handle portion 362 forces the cam block 364 to rotate against the hinged portion 354 of the headrest. As the cam block 364 rotates through the rotation of the rod 362, the headrest part 354 moves between the positions shown in Figures 19-21. In particular, Figure 19 shows the headrest part 354 in a low position. Figure 20 shows the headrest part 354 in a first raised position, with the rod 362 rotated approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise. Figure 21 shows the headrest part in a second raised position with the rod 362 rotated an additional 90 degrees counterclockwise. In this embodiment, cam block 364 provides three stable positions. Also, note that in Figures 16 and 17, the headrest adjustment rod (unnumbered) is shown with two handle ends instead of just one as in Figures 18-21. Other configurations are also within the scope of this description. For example, the cam block 364 may be smoothly curved without flat parts for specific headrest elevations and the rod 362 may be configured to provide friction retention such that the headrest part 354 can be maintained at any desired elevation. Alternatively, the cam block may be configured with four or more flat regions, each corresponding to a different elevated height.

A perspective view of another embodiment of a reformer exercise apparatus 400 in accordance with the present description is shown in Figure 22. The apparatus 400 has a generally rectangular frame 402 with a head end 404 and a foot end 406. The ends 404 and 406 are separated by a pair of rail elements 408. A carriage 410 is movably supported on the rail elements 408 to move forward and backward between the ends 404 and 406 of the frame 402.

A foot bar 411 is placed near the foot end 406 of the frame 402. This foot bar 411 is carried by the rail elements 408 as will be described in detail below. The head end 404 of the frame 402 preferably supports a removable pair of lifts 412 supporting the separate vertical arm cords. These elevators 412 direct the arm ropes 414 from the carriage 110 to the clips 416 of the ends of the ropes or hand grips of a user for use in various exercises. When not in use, the end clips 416 may conveniently be placed on the shoulder stops 418 as shown in Figure 22. The carriage 410 is elastically offset towards the 416 foot end of the frame 402 by one or more elastic elements such as springs 420 (see Figure 35).

The exterior of the frame 402 has the same shape as the frame 102 shown in Figure 2. Each of between the head end 404, the foot end 406 and the side rail elements 408 has a similar outer surface shape that is merge gently with the others.

A separate internal perspective view of the head end assembly 404 is shown in Figure 23. He head end assembly includes an end extrusion 500 having leg portions 502 and a horizontal stepped support plate 421. The external shape of the extrusion 500, as in the first embodiment, includes an exterior vertical wall 422 that merges with a horizontal upper wall 424 that merges with an interior wall 426 inclined downward and inward. The inner wall 426 is fused into a vertical skirt part 428. The vertical skirt portion 428 joins with the stepped horizontal support plate 421.

Both head and foot ends 404 and 406 have outer end plates 407 that mate with, and are attached to, the side rail elements 408 through alignment pins 409 and threaded connections (not shown). The extrusion 500 of the head end 404 further includes vertical tubular prominences 506 adjacent to the curved corners to receive the elevators 412. A pair of threaded manual bolts 413 inserted from below secure the elevators 412 within the prominences 506. A protruding platform 415 is held above and on the stepped support plate 421.

Extending downward from each curved end of the extrusion 500 is a vertical support leg 429 with a complementary shape. These support legs 429 are used to place the ends 404 and 406 of the frame 402 on a flat surface such as a floor. The support legs 429 can be exchanged with longer or shorter support legs to change the height of the apparatus 400 on a support floor surface. A grip strip 417 is attached to the outer bottom edge of the outer wall 407 of the extrusion 500 to provide a rounded hand grip edge to facilitate transport of the head end of the reformer 400.

Figure 24 is a perspective view of a foot end assembly 406 of the frame 402. The foot end assembly 406 is another extrusion 500 having leg portions 502, prominences 506 and a horizontal stepped support plate 421. Two rows of reel-shaped anchor pins 448 are fixed to plate 421. Each of these pins 448 can receive and maintain a ring from one end of a spring 420 to secure the spring 420 to the 406 foot end of the frame 402 , while the other end of the spring 420 is attached to the carriage 410. Each of these pins 448 preferably narrows upwardly and inwardly from its base to a waist at a first angle from the central axis of the pin and then outward at a second angle greater than the first angle so that the free end of a spring placed in the pin 448, when under tension, is firmly held at the waist of the pin 448. This second angle is preferably at least twice the first angle

The foot support prominences 506 are vertical tubes formed in the extrusion 500. Each prominence 506 receives a clamp 508 that fits on top of the prominence 506. A rectangular protruding platform plate 423 is fixed on the clamps 508. Finally, a tubular receiver 510 fits through holes in plate 423 and fits into prominences 506 to secure plate 423 to extrusion 500. A set of bolts 512 holds each receiver 510, plate 423 and clamp 508 to prominence 506. 510 receivers receive legs from a removable flat jump board platform (not shown).

A sectional view of a side rail element 408 is shown in Figure 25. Each rail element 408 is preferably an aluminum extrusion assembly having an identical cross-sectional shape. In this particular embodiment of the reformer 400, the rail element 408 is a composite extrusion formed by two separate extrusion parts: inner part 417 and outer part 419 that are joined together by rivets 514. This construction of the side rail element 408 is particularly advantageous for at least two reasons. First, such a configuration is easier to extrude as two separate extrusions that are then joined. Secondly, the outer part 419 may be finished differently than the inner part 417. Thus, a version of the outer part 419 may have a powder coating for durability and / or be painted in the colors chosen, while the inner part 417 has a powder coating or other durable finish, since it is not visible. In addition, the inner part 417, since it also contains the rolling surfaces and the reference rail element for the foot bar 411, can be separated and replaced if necessary due to wear. The rail element 408, as mentioned above, has an outer vertical wall 422 that merges into a horizontal upper wall 424 and then into an inner wall 426 inclined downward and then into a vertical skirt portion 428. The end elements 404 and 406 have the same exterior shape, but differ internally from the side rail elements 408.

As shown in Figure 25, each side rail element 408 has a vertical middle wall 430 between the inclined inner wall 426 and the vertical outer wall 422. The middle wall 430 has an outwardly oriented upper prominence 432 that extends longitudinally and an outwardly oriented lower prominence 434 extending longitudinally, parallel to the upper prominence 432. Together, the middle wall 430, the upper prominence 432 and the lower prominence 434 form an open outward groove 436 therebetween. This slot 436 receives and transports one of the foot bar support assemblies therein, as will be described in detail below. Between the middle wall 430 and the inclined inner wall 426 there is an upper wall 438 of horizontal support. The support wall 438 extends the length of the rail element 408 and provides torsional rigidity to the structure of the rail element 408. In addition, this support wall 438 facilitates the connection between the inner and outer extrusion portions 417 and 419. A horizontal lower part 440 of the middle wall 430 acts as a support for a set of wheels supporting the carriage 410. The upper wall 438 also serves as an upper guide for the carriage support wheels in the rail elements 408. In addition, the average wall 430 between the upper and lower walls 438 and 440 and the skirt part 428 serve as side guide for carriage 410.

The upper prominence 432 preferably has a vertical part 442 extending downwards parallel to the middle wall 430. This vertical part 442 is used to provide lateral support for the foot support assembly described in more detail below. In addition, the lower prominence 434 may include a reference rail 444 that extends downward. Alternatively, the reference rail 444 may be installed along the length of the rail element 408 by a separate and replaceable metal reference rail carried on the prominence 434.

Finally, the interior of the outer part 419 of the rail 408 includes three location prominences 516, 518 and 520. These three location prominences align with and receive the location pins 409 protruding from the head and foot assemblies 406 and 408, shown in Figures 23 and 24. These prominences help ensure the exact alignment between the rails 408 and the ends 406 and 406, such that a user of the apparatus 400 is presented with a smooth outer frame surface.

The foot bar 411 shown in Figure 22 is the same as that shown in Figure 5. The foot bar support assembly 470 is similar but differs slightly from that shown and specifically described above with reference to Figures 6, 7 , 8 and 9. The foot bar 411 is part of a foot support assembly 470 that cannot be seen in Figure 22. With reference now to the interior and exterior views of the foot support assembly 470 shown in Figures 29 and 30, the connecting part 154 of the foot bar 411 is bolted or otherwise fastened to a lower end 456 of an elongated arm 458 supporting the foot bar. The arm 458, which is best shown in Figure 29, is an elongated flat plate element having a coupling pin 461 projecting outwardly from the upper end 460 of the arm 458. The arm 458 also has a pivot groove 462. closed radially parallel to leg portion 152 of the foot bar 411 and separated from where the connecting part 154 of the foot bar 411 is attached to the arm 458.

The foot support assembly of the reformer 400 shown in Figure 22 includes a left foot bar support assembly 470, the foot bar 411 and a right foot bar support assembly 470. Figures 29 and 30 are reverse perspective views of a right assembly of the foot bar support assemblies 470 according to an embodiment of the present description. Each leg 152 of the foot bar 411 is supported by one of the foot bar support assemblies 470. As best shown in Figure 29, the assembly 470 includes the foot bar support arm 458 to which the foot bar 411 is attached (not shown in Figures 29 and 30), a sliding part 472 that is it displaces in the groove 436 of the side rail element 408, and a hitch plate 474 that is rigidly attached to the sliding part 472. This hitch plate 474 has a series of elements, preferably grooves or notches 476, 478, 480, 482 and 484 spaced along the upper edge of the hitch plate 474. The pin 461 protruding outwardly from the upper end 460 of the foot bar support arm 458 fits into one of these notches 476-484 to position the foot bar 411 at a desired specific angular position with respect to the frame 402 of the reformer 400.

The support arm 458 of the foot bar is slidably and pivotally connected to the hitch plate 474 by means of a bolt 486 and a square bushing 488. A flat washer 489 on the bolt 486 holds the support arm 458 in the bushing. 488. Bushing 488 moves in pivot groove 462. Since the foot bar 411 is attached to the arm 458, when a user lifts the foot bar 411, the support arm 458 moves up or down along the groove 462. In turn, the pin 461 protruding outward from the upper end 460 of the support arm 458 is lifted out of one of the grooves along the upper edge of the hitch plate 474. When raised in this way out of its slot, a user can then rotate the 411 foot bar around the pivot bolt 486 to another slot different from the grooves 476, 478, 480, 482 or 484 to reposition the bar 411 On foot. When the 411 foot bar is lowered into a groove, the pin 461 slides down into one of the grooves to secure the 411 foot bar in position. The grooves or notches 476 and 484 of end have a special meaning in this embodiment 400 as in the first embodiment 100. When the foot bar 411 has its two pins 461 positioned in the grooves 476, the foot bar 411 is rotationally positioned slightly above the upper surface of the frame 402 and beyond the foot end of the frame 402 as shown in Figure 39. In this position, the foot bar 411 can be used as a handle to lift the foot end of the reformer 400. To ensure that the foot bar 411 does not disengage from this groove 476, the terminal end of the groove 476 is curved upwards, as can be seen in Figure 29, to engage firmly with the pin 461 at the end closed from slot 476. To disengage the foot bar 411 from this slot 476, the foot bar 411 must be pushed down and pulled back (away from the end of feet) to align the pa Sador 461 with the widened groove inlet. The 411 foot bar can then be turned up and removed from the groove 476 and repositioned in a different groove between the grooves 478, 480, 482 and 484.

The most forward groove 484 of the hitch plate 474 is used to position the foot support assembly comprising each of the sets 470 and the foot bar 411 together for its movement along the rail elements 408. As the 411 foot bar is raised and rotated clockwise, as seen in Figure 29, arm 458 rotates around bolt 486 clockwise until the pin 461 engages an overhanging surface 492 at the front end (towards the head end 404) of the hitch plate 474. In this position, a shoulder 494 on the support arm 458 is coupled with a pin 496 protruding through a groove 498 of the hitch plate 474. The latch pin 496 protrudes through the hitch plate 474 from a latch arm 530 that is best seen in Figure 30. When the foot bar 411 is then lowered, the shoulder 494 of the arm 458 pushes the pin 496 of latch down.

The latch arm 530 is an elongated bar having an end rotatably fixed to the inner face of the hitch plate 474. The latch arm 530 can rotate in a plane parallel to the inner surface of the hitch plate 474. The other end of the latch arm 530 has an upwardly hooked latch portion 532 that engages a reference element complementary to the rail member 408 to lock the assembly 470 in a selected position along the element 408 rail The latch arm 530 is spring-deflected upwardly through the flat spring member 534 to keep the latch portion 532 of the latch arm 530 coupled with the reference rail member 444 in the rail member 408.

When the foot bar 411 is positioned with the pins 461 in the slots 484, and the foot bar 411 is pushed down to fully seat the pins 461 at the bottom of the slots 484, the latch pins 496 are also pushed towards below, by turning the latch arm 530 and moving the latch portion 532 out of the coupling with the reference element of the reference rail 444 in the rail element 408. With the latch portions 532 decoupled from the rail elements 408, the foot bar 411 can move toward, or away from, the foot end 406 of the frame 402 through the casters 536. In fact, the foot bar 411 it can be completely moved to the opposite end of the rail elements 408 if desired.

The slide assembly 472 is best seen in the view of Figure 30, which is an opposite perspective view of the foot bar support assembly 470 shown in Figure 29 that travels in the right side rail element 408. The slide assembly 472 includes an elongated slide plate 538 that is preferably screwed or otherwise secured to the hitch plate 474. This sliding plate 538 travels in the groove 436 of the rail element 408 with the hitch plate 474 and the adjacent foot bar support arm 458 disposed within the free / open space between the outer wall 422 and the middle wall 430 of rail element 408. It should be understood that another set 470 of mirror image foot support is arranged in the other rail element 408 (left).

Turning now to Figure 30, the sliding plate 538 is supported in the groove 436 by front and rear support casters 536 that roll along the bottom surface of the groove 436. A guide roller 540 which rotates around a Vertical axis through the sliding plate 538 is preferably mounted adjacent to each support wheel 536. The guide rollers 540 roll along the inner side surfaces of the groove 436 in the rail element 408 to guide the support assembly 470, and thus the foot bar 411, as it moves (i.e., wheel) towards forward and backward along rail elements 408.

The support casters 536 are preferably polymer wheels with bearing, rotatably supported on horizontal axes. The polymer wheels are sized to fit and roll smoothly inside the groove 436. The guide rollers 540 can be nylon or other polymer rollers supported by a vertical axis in the sliding plate 538. In this embodiment 400, the guide rollers 540 may be roller bearings mounted in recesses along the upper edge of the sliding plate 538.

The slide plate 538 also has a spring loaded positioning ball 542 mounted in a recess behind the j-shaped reference element 544 used as described above with reference to the first embodiment. The spring loaded positioning ball 542 provides a user with tactile feedback when moving the foot bar 411 forward and backward along the rails 408 between several predetermined positions, protruding into the interior of corresponding depressions that may optionally be arranged to along rail 408.

A low friction layer 546 of polymer sheet material (shown in Figure 29) is fixed to the outer surface of the hitch plate 474 between the hitch plate 474 and the support arm 458. This layer, as in the first embodiment 100, reduces any friction between the arm 458 and the plate during the rotation of the foot bar 411 between the notches 476, 478, 480482 and 484. Alternatively, the low friction layer 546 can be applied to the facing surface of the arm 458. To further reduce friction, a low friction layer 546 can optionally be applied to these two facing surfaces.

A removable ring pin 548 can optionally be inserted through holes aligned in the arm 458 and the plate 474 when the foot bar 411 is in the high position, that is, slot 480. The insertion of the ring pin 548 will block the bar 411 feet in place and will prevent repositioning. The purpose of this is that the foot bar 411 can act as a support support when the reformer 400 is positioned vertically on its end 406 feet. This facilitates the vertical storage of a series of reformers 400 in a relatively small space.

When the foot bar 411 is securely positioned with the pins 461 seated in the slots 484, the entire foot bar assembly 411 can slide / roll back and forth along the side rails 408. The plate 474 it is also preferably provided with a hole 549. This hole 549 can be used to store the ring pin 548 when it is not being used. In addition, this hole 549 can be used to join an elastic or spring resistance element (not shown) between the carriage 410 and the support plate 474 of the foot bar 411 or between the end 404 of the feet and the plate 474 of support. Such a resistance element may provide a resistance to the translational movement of the foot support assembly 470 4 by a user when the foot support arm 458 is engaged in the slot 484. In this configuration, the bar 411 of feet can be used to provide additional resistances experienced by a user during the execution of several movements while resting on the car 410. Such a spring or other resistance element, such as an elastic cord, can be attached for this purpose between the car 410 and a suitable element in a different location of assembly 470 or to the same 411 foot bar. For example, such a resistance element may be attached to the connecting part 154 of the leg part 152 of the foot bar.

Referring again to Figure 22, at the head end 404 of the reformer apparatus 400 there are two separate arm rope lifts 412 to direct the ropes 414 of the arms from the carriage 410 to the head end 404 and then to the clips 416 of the ends of the strings of the arms. A separate perspective view of an elevator 412 is shown in Figure 26 and an exploded assembly view is shown in Figure 27. In this embodiment 400, the elevator 412 has no lower pulley configuration as used in the elevator 112. Instead, preferably, a pulley and roller assembly 550 is inserted into the upper end of the tube 552 of the elevator. This pulley and roller assembly includes a support housing 554 that supports laterally separated vertical rollers 556 that revolve around parallel vertical shafts secured in the housing 554, and a pulley 558 mounted between and under the rollers 556 on a horizontal axis 560. Both the rollers and the pulley 558 are supported on their respective axis between pairs of ball bearings mounted on the support housing 554.

Each of these elevator tubes 552 preferably includes two elongate vertically aligned openings 562 and 564 adjacent its upper end through which the arm rope 414 is passed. The pulley and roller assembly 550 slides into the upper end of the elevator tube 552 and is held in place with two screws 566. When correctly positioned in the tube 552, the vertical rollers 556 are adjacent to the upper opening 562. Pulley wheel 558 is centered between the two openings. The rope 414 of the arm is inserted through the upper opening and downward around the pulley wheel 558, and exits through the lower opening 564 towards the carriage 410 as shown in Figure 26.

An annular collar 568 is secured around the lower end portion of the tube 552 by screws 570. This collar 568 is sized to fit perfectly inside the open upper end of the prominence 506 of the extrusion 500 of the head end, as is shown in the cutaway view of Figure 28. A threaded expansion plug 572 snaps into the lower end of the elevator tube 552. This threaded expansion plug 572 is coupled with the threaded hand bolt 413 (Figures 23, 28). When hand bolt 413 is tightened, elevator 412 is pushed down on prominence 506 to secure elevator 412 in place. The elevator tube 552 may alternatively be made of different lengths such that elevators 412 of different length can be selected for different users. Finally, the lower opening 564 of the elevator tube 552, in addition to passing the rope 414 therethrough, is used to receive part of a support 700 (an example of which is shown in Figure 31) to detachably hold the elevator 412 below the head end of the carriage 410 during storage as shown in Figure 39.

The carriage 410 is shown separately in Figures 31 and 32. In Figure 31 a separate bottom perspective view of the carriage 410 is shown separately. In Figure 32 a bottom view of the upholstered upper platform 574 is shown separately. The carriage 410 includes a generally rectangular frame 576, a rectangular support platform 578, the upholstered upper platform 574, and a pair of shoulder stops 418. The frame 576 has vertical side support plates 580, a vertical head end plate 582 and a vertical spring support plate 584, both fixed to the side support plates 580. All these plates 580, 582 and 584 are also attached to the bottom of the support platform 578 to provide a rigid carriage structure. The upper side of platform 578 includes shoulder stop supports 594 (See Figure 34) as in the first embodiment of carriage 110 shown in Figure 12.

The spring support plate 584 carries one end of each of the deflection springs 420. The other end of each spring 420 may be removably attached to the anchor pins 448 to vary the elastic deviation, that is, the tension of the springs between the carriage 410 and the foot end 406 of the frame 402. The plates 580 Side support supports platforms 574 and 578 and provide mounting fins for support wheels 586 and guide wheels 588. The head end plate 582 has a pair of spaced openings 590 therethrough which act as guides for the arm cords 414 (not shown in Figure 31). A pair of elongated grooves 592 are also formed in the head end plate 582. These grooves 592 are shaped to receive the stems of shoulder stops 418 when shoulder stops 418 are removed and attached to carriage 410 for storage as shown in Figure 39.

The support platform 578 has a pair of shoulder stop supports 594 fixed to its upper surface (as shown in Figure 34). Each of these brackets 594 has a pair of vertical holes 596 and 598 at its through. The vertical hole 596 has an oval cross section and supports a cross pin 600 in the stem 602 of the shoulder stop 418. The operation of the shoulder stop 418 is identical to that of the shoulder stop 118 of the first embodiment 100, as shown in Figure 15.

Figure 33 is a perspective view of shoulder stop 418. Note that the rod 600 is displaced from the axial center line through the shoulder stop 418. Referring now to Figure 34, a partial top view of the upper carriage platform 410 is shown. Each of the shoulder stop brackets protrudes through, and is leveled with the top of, the upper platform 574 The internal holes 598 are circular in cross section. Thus, when the stems 600 of the shoulder stops 418 are placed in these holes 598, the shoulder stops 418 cannot rotate as was the case in the first embodiment 100 described above and shown with reference to Figure 15. However, when one or both shoulder stops 418 are placed in the outer holes 596, they can be tilted towards the end 406 of feet as described with reference to Figure 15 in the first embodiment 100.

In this embodiment of the reformer 400, not only does the user have the option of rotating shoulder stops 418 by inserting them into holes 596 to accommodate different shoulder widths, one or both shoulder stops 418 can be inserted into interior holes 598 to provide an additional width adjustment. If both shoulder stops 418 are located in the inner holes 598, then no adjustment of the ropes 414 of the arms can be made. This is called the blocking position. However, if one or both shoulder stops 418 are placed in the outer holes 596, then the adjustment of the arm cords 414 can be done with that shoulder stop in an outer hole 596.

A partial perspective view of the lower part of the carriage 410, removed from the reformer 400, is shown in Figure 35. In this view, the springs 420 are shown attached to the spring support plate 584. An exemplary arm rope 414 is shown inserted through the guide hole 590 and into the rope retraction mechanism 610.

A bottom plan view of a portion of the carriage head end 410 is shown in Figures 36 and 37. These two views illustrate the configuration and operation of the rope retraction mechanism 610 in accordance with this embodiment of the present description. Arm strings 414 are not shown in this view for clarity. The rope retraction mechanism 610 includes, for each rope 414, a reel of spring-deflected rope 612 that is mounted under the support plate 578 to rotate about a horizontal axis and is supported from the side support plate 580 of the car frame. The rope reel 612 has a helical spring part 614 and a rope support part 616. One end of the rope 414 (not shown) is attached to, and wound around, the rope support part 616 of the reel 612. As shown in Figures 35, 36 and 37, the two reels 612 of the mechanism 610 of Rope retraction are rotatably mounted side by side under the bottom surface of platform 578.

The helical spring part 614 is screwed or integrated with the rope support part 616 and preferably carries inside a helical spring (not shown) that provides a pick-up preload tension to the rope 414 when its end is attached to the part 616 of reel rope support 612. The retraction assembly 610 also includes a unique spring loaded rope clamp assembly 618 fixed to the support platform 578 which is operatively coupled to an actuator joint 620, which, in turn. , is actuated by any of the shoulder stops 418 when installed in the appropriate hole 596.

The actuator joint 620 is carried on an elongated flat plate 622 that is attached to the support plate 578 through fasteners 624 and extends between the two side support plates 580 directly below the shoulder stops 418 and over the holes 596 and 598. Each end of the flat plate 622 has an elongated opening 626 aligned with a hole 596 and a circular opening 628 aligned with the hole 598. Ported pivotally side by side on the plate 622 of the joint, they find a pair of T-shaped links 630 Each T-shaped link 630 pivots in the plane of the support plate 578 around the center of the head 632 of the link 630 in a pin 634 that holds the link 630 to the plate 622. One end 636 of the head 632 of each of the links 630 is positioned to engage a rod 600 of the shoulder stop 418 inserted in the hole 596. The other end 638 of the head 632 of the link 630 T-shaped is coupled with a corresponding end 638 of the other link 630. The ends 638 of the two links 630 are also preferably coupled together by a helical spring 640. Each T-shaped link 630 includes an elongated leg 642. The end of this elongated leg 642 is adjacent to one of the clamp assemblies 618.

The clamp assembly 618 comprises a pair of clamp elements 650, the exterior of which is fixed to the support plate 578 by two clamps 652 and 654. The inner clamp element 650 is rotatably fixed to the plate 578 of support by means of a fastener 652 in laterally spaced relationship to the fixed element 650. Each clamp element has a rope grip part 656 and an opposite elongated arm part 658. The arm part 658 of the inner clamp element 650 is positioned adjacent to the leg 642 of the link 630. A helical spring 660 holds the gripping part 656 of the inner clamp element 650 to the fixed outer clamp element 650 so that the Gripping part of the inner clamp element 650 is offset towards the gripping part of the fixed outer clamp element. A flat plate 662 is optionally fastened on the elements 650 of clamp in each set 618 between the clamp 652 and the clamp element 650. Finally, a pair of rope guides 664 is preferably attached to the support plate 578 and positioned between the link assembly 620 and the reel 612 such that the rope 414 must pass through the hole 590 of the end plate 582 head, through a rope guide 664, between the clamp elements 650, through another rope guide 664, to the rope reel reel 612 as shown in Figure 35.

Retraction assembly 610 is shown in a locked rope state in Figure 36. In Figure 37, assembly 610 is shown in an unlocked condition where one of the shoulder stops 418 (the left one in Figure 37) is has tilted toward the foot end of the frame 402 of the reformer. In this view of Figure 37, the stem 600 of the left shoulder stop 418 pushes up the end 636 of the link 630 upwards. This movement causes the opposite end 638 of the link 630 to rotate downward in a clockwise direction. At the same time, the leg 642 must also rotate clockwise, turning the arm part 658 of the inner clamp element 650 counterclockwise. This action releases the arm rope 414 from the clamp elements 650 and allows the tension of the left rope reel to sit on the rope 414. At the same time, the other link 630 is made to rotate counterclockwise. clock around its pin 632, which, in turn, causes its leg 642 to push against the arm part 658 of the inner clamp element 650 of the other clamp assembly 618, thereby rotating the inner clamp element 650 in the clockwise. This clockwise rotation of the inner clamp element 650 disengages the clamp element 650 from the other arm cord 414, such that the tension in the right-hand spool 612 pulls the other cord 414. Therefore, it can easily be seen that tilting any of the shoulder stops 418 that is in an outer hole 596 will cause the same result, a release of both clamp sets 618 on both arm cords 414, allowing a user to adjust the length of each rope independently.

Again, a retrofit mechanism kit of the adaptive arm ropes for a conventional reformer according to the present description for this alternative retraction system 610 is also contemplated. Said kit would include two retraction reels 612 and mounting accessories, two clamp sets 618, link assembly 630, replacement shoulder stops 418, two shoulder stop supports 594 and appropriate installation instructions.

In the carriage 410 of the reformer according to the present description, an adjustable headrest can be integrated into the structure. A bottom view of the upholstered upper support platform 574 is shown in Figure 32. The rigid base of the upper support plate has two separate sections 672 and 674 spaced apart and joined by a hinge 676. Each section 672 and 674 can be made of plastic, composite or wood. Section 672 also has openings 678 to receive the supports 594 of the shoulder stops therethrough as described above. Sections 672 and 674 are approximately 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) apart to allow room to bend the head end portion of upholstered platform 574 as shown with reference to the first embodiment in Figures 19-21 . However, in this reformer 400, there is no block 364 of cam. Instead, as shown in Figure 32, an elongated adjustment lever 680 is attached to the bottom side of the head end section 674. This lever 680 revolves around a latch 682 secured to the bottom of the head end section 674. The lever 680 has an end 684 bent 90 degrees from the plane of the platform 574. This bent end 684 protrudes through a groove 686 in the support plate 578 as shown in Figure 38. The bent end 684 has a series of notches 688 to adjust the height of section 674 of the head end. The opposite end of the lever 680 may have a knob 690 fixed thereto to rotate the lever 680 out and into the engagement of the notches 688 with a corresponding flange of the head end support plate 582.

The reformer 400 of the present description may be configured to stack easily for stacked storage. Each of the feet 429 includes recessed portions designed to fit on the edge of the outer corner of an underlying reformer 400. The lower part of each foot 429 which facilitates the stacking of one apparatus on another has a recessed part. Stacking is facilitated by coupling the outer corners of the head end of the reformer and the outer corners of the protruding platform at the foot end of the reformer in the recessed parts of each foot, as shown in Figure 39. When two or more reformers 400 are thus stacked, held firmly laterally in place by these feet 429.

In addition, elevators 412 are removed from head end 404 and secured to one of the supports 700 (see Figure 31 and Figure 40, below). Each of the shoulder stops 418 is removed and the stems 600 are passed through the slot openings 592 of the shoulder stops, rotated 90 degrees, so that the pins 602 engage the support plate 582 of the head end

A perspective view of the lower part of the head end of the carriage 410 is shown in Figure 40, showing the lifts 412 and shoulder stops 418 separated from these fasteners. These fasteners are grooves 592 in the head end plate 582 and spring supports 700. The spring supports 700 snap elastically into the lower openings 564 to hold and hold the elevator 412 in place without spoiling or otherwise damaging the exterior finish of the elevator 412.

When elevators 412 and shoulder stops 418 are mounted under carriage 410 as shown in Figures 39 and 40, carriage 410 can be fully positioned at the head end of frame 402, and an optional mat 702 can be placed conversion to mat between carriage 410 and projecting platform 423 to provide a completely flat mat surface. This conversion to mat places the carriage 410 in a stationary position at the head end 404, and presents the user with a completely flat surface. The reformer 400 can also optionally be configured with a trapezoid tower assembly 800 as shown in Figure 41. The tower assembly 800 basically comprises a U-shaped tower 802, a trapezoid swing 804 and a pair of tower fittings 806 . The tower fittings 806 are held between the rail elements 408 and the head end extrusion 500 of the head end 404 and become an integral part of the frame 402. The lower ends of the tower 802 fit inside the fittings 806 and are inserted into lace 806 as shown in more detail in Figure 43.

The tower 802 is preferably a tubular metal body such as aluminum or steel and may either be bent in the manner shown in Figure 41, or it may be formed by straight sections joined by conventional 90 degree elbows. Tower 802 has a plurality of eyebolts 808 spaced apart to fix springs, belts or pulleys 810 as necessary for particular exercises. Alternatively, the vertical legs of the tower 802 may have a vertical groove and adjustable clamp fittings provided therein to anchor the springs, pulleys 810, or eyebolts 808 thereto.

In addition, elevators 412 can be used with, or replaced by, a U-shaped connector assembly 818 so that a pulley 810 can be attached thereto. This U-shaped connector assembly 818 fits within the prominence 506 in the extrusion 500 of the head end, and is screwed into place as shown in Figure 44, or alternatively it may be configured to be secured with the same hand screw 413 that is used to secure the elevator 412 in place as shown in Figure 28. When the connector assembly 818 is used instead of the elevator 412, then a second pulley 810 (not shown) could be attached to the assembly 818 and used as a lower arm rope guide that directs the arm rope from the carriage 410 to the lower pulley and through the upper pulley 810 to the hand clip as in embodiments 100 and 400 shown in Figures 1 and 22.

A socket 806 of the tower mounted on the head end of one of the side rail elements 408 is shown in Figure 42. The tower fitting 806 is a metal extrusion, preferably of aluminum, which has a tube part 820 and an axially extending radial fin part 822. The flap part 822 has a thickened edge 824 and a plate part 826 that is identically shaped to fit against the end plate 407 of the extrusion 500 of the head end and against the end of the side rail element 408. The positioning pins 409 orient the flap part 822 with respect to the rail element 408 and the end plate 407, and nuts (not shown) are used in the bolts 828 to secure the head end 404 and the socket 806 so secure to side rail element 408.

Figure 43 is a cut-away view of a tower 802 mounted fastened in a socket 806. Similar to that described above with reference to elevators 412 that are held in prominences 506, the lower end of tower 802 is equipped with a 830 threaded expansion plug. A manual bolt 832 extending to the bottom of the tube part 820 is screwed into the plug 830. When tightened, the expansion plug 830 draws the lower end of the tower 802 down firmly into the socket 806 to complete the assembly of tower 800 in frame 402.

Alternatively, the lower ends 850 of a tower 820 can be narrowed and shaped to fit telescopically within the prominences 506 in the extrusion 500 of the head end as shown in the perspective view of this alternative in Figure 45. This construction would exclude the need for tower 806 lace. In such an alternative, shown in Figure 45, a manual bolt 832 would be used again to attract the lower ends 850 of the tower 820 firmly within the prominences 506 just as the elevators 412 would be held within the prominences 506 described above. In such an alternative configuration, of course, elevators 412 are not used. Instead, the arm ropes 414 would each be attached to a pulley 810.

Turning now to Figure 46, an exemplary part 880 of the handle end of an arm rope 114, 414 attached to a hand strap 900 is shown. The end part 880 is rotated on itself to form a flexible eye 882. The free end 884 of the end part 880 is sewn or otherwise permanently fixed to the end part 880 to form the eye 882. This Eye 882 replaces the need for a conventional metal or plastic pressure clip for connection to a conventional hand grip.

The hand strap 900 has a clip belt part 902 sewn to the ends of a short length of arm rope material to form a flexible rope ring 904 attached to the belt part 902. The flexible rope ring 904 joins the eye 882 by passing the ring 904 over the eye 882 and then inserting the belt part 902 through the ring 904. The result is the hand strap 900 attached to the rope 114, 414 of arm essentially in a plain knot configuration as shown in Figure 46. The arm strings 114, 414 with the hand strap 900 attached in this way can be used with any conventional or other reformer exercise apparatus that uses strings of arms / feet, as well as with the reformer 100, 400 of the present description.

A hand grip 910 showing a tubular handle 912 is shown in Figure 47. This grip 910 can be used instead of the hand strap 900. Again, the hand grip 910 preferably has a flexible rope ring 904 as described above to attach the hand grip 910 to the end portion 880. Alternatively, a standard hand grip can be used that includes a metal D-ring attached to the hand grip 910 instead of the rope ring 904.

The reformer 100 or 400 may be configured with a jump table 950 as shown in Figure 48. This jump table 950 is a generally rectangular plate structure with two parallel posts 952 that fit within the inserts 510 in the prominences 506 at the end 106, 406 feet. These posts 952 each have a rectangular or square cross-sectional shape as shown in the partial sectional view of Figure 49.

Each post 952 includes a pair of spaced leaf springs 954 that deflect the post 952 counterclockwise into the insert 510, so that there is a preload in the jump table 950 effectively away from the carriage 110, 410. This Preload prevents the rattle and rotation movement of the jump board in response to a user's applied force on the jump board during an exercise. This configuration offers a firm and solid feeling to the user of the jump board as it is installed and used.

In Figure 48, note that the 411 foot bar is shown positioned adjacent to the head end 404 of the frame 402. In addition, the 470 foot bar support assemblies 470 are shown in the free rotational position in which the pins 461 are engaged in slots 484 as described with reference to Figures 29 and 30. When the foot bar 411 is thus positioned to be movable between the head and foot ends 404 and 406 of the frame 402, an element can be held 956 of elastic resistance to the connecting parts 154 of the leg portions 156 of the foot bar 411 and stretching around the head end 404 of the frame 402 as shown in Figure 48. With the foot bar 411 configured therefrom. Thus, a user can sit or lie on the carriage 410, grab the leg portions 156 of the foot bar 411 and pull the foot bar 411 towards the carriage 410 against the resistance provided by the element 956 of resistance

Alternatively, the user can rotate the foot bar 411 to the vertical position, lower the foot bar 411 to engage the pins 461 in the notches 482, which locks each support assembly 470 in place in the rail elements 408. Then the user can pull the carriage 410 towards the head end 404 with his arms. It should be understood that the resistance element 956 may be two separate elements, each connected separately to the head end 404, or it may be a single resistance element as illustrated in Figure 48. In addition, the above description applies equally well. to the first embodiment, the reformer apparatus 100 described above with reference to Figures 1-21.

These are only exemplary embodiments and variations. A reformer exercise apparatus according to the present description may incorporate one or more or any of the features described herein. Other modifications will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. For a simple example, any of the helical springs shown in the drawing figures can be replaced by stretchable elastic elements and vice versa. On the other hand, the fasteners for accommodating the elevators 412 and shoulder stops in storage positions below the upper surface of the reformer carriage 410 may differ from the clips 700 and the grooves 592. The elevators 412 can fit within corresponding openings (not shown) in plate 582 or in pins protruding from plate 582. The reformers 100, 400 may be configured with short legs as shown in Figure 48, or longer legs as shown in at least Figures 1 and 22. Accordingly, all these alternatives, variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of, and to be as defined in, the following claims.

Claims (10)

1. An arm rope support elevator (112) for use in a reformer exercise apparatus having a generally rectangular frame that supports a carriage for movement between a head end and a foot end of the frame on parts of spaced parallel side rails of the frame, and a foot bar supported by the frame near the foot end, the arm rope support elevator comprising: a hollow elongated cylindrical tube (224) having a central axis and is adapted to be mounted vertically on the head end of the frame, the tube carrying a first pulley wheel (238) disposed therein near an upper end of the tube adjacent to an outlet opening of the tube, rotating the first pulley wheel around a horizontal axis carried on the tube; characterized in that it further comprises a guide (236) in the tube on each side of the outlet opening adjacent to the first pulley wheel to direct an arm rope out of the tube, where each guide rotates around an axis within the tube parallel to the central axis. 2. The arm rope support lifter according to claim 1, wherein each guide is a roller that can rotate about a vertical axis. 3. The arm rope support elevator according to claim 1, wherein the outlet opening is elongated to accommodate the arm rope that passes around the first pulley wheel and exits the tube. 4. The arm rope support elevator according to claim 3, further comprising a second pulley wheel disposed in the tube near a lower end of the tube, to direct an arm rope into the tube, through the tube , around the first pulley wheel and out through the opening. 5. The arm rope support elevator according to claim 1, further comprising another elongated opening aligned below the exit opening for the entry of an arm rope inside. 6. A reformer exercise apparatus (100) comprising: a generally rectangular frame (122) supporting a carriage for movement between a head end and a foot end of the frame in spaced parallel side rail portions of the frame; a deflection element (120) between the carriage and the foot end to push the carriage towards the foot end of the frame; wherein the head end of the frame has a pair of spaced vertical holes, each of which supports a rope support elevator (112) comprising: a hollow cylindrical tube having a central axis and bearing a first pulley wheel (238) disposed therein near an upper end of the tube, the first pulley wheel rotating around a horizontal axis carried in the tube; characterized in that the elevator further comprises a guide (236) in the tube on each side of an outlet opening adjacent to the first pulley wheel to direct an arm rope out of the tube, where each guide rotates inside the tube around to an axis parallel to the central axis, wherein the rope support elevator (112) is according to claim 1. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each guide is an elongated cylindrical roller that can rotate about the axis parallel to the central axis. 8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the outlet opening is elongated to accommodate the arm rope that passes around the first pulley wheel and exits the tube. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a second pulley wheel disposed in the tube near a lower end of the tube, to direct an arm rope into the tube, through the tube, around the first wheel of pulley and out through the opening. 10. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising another elongated opening aligned below the outlet opening for the entry of an arm cord inside.