AU2005232331A1 - Exercise bench - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

FOR A STANDARD

PATENT

ORIGINAL

TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT KEDAMI PTY. LTD. ACN 101 125 571 Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention title: JOHN R.G. GARDNER Suite 398 Albert Avenue, BROADBEACH QLD 4218 EXERCISE

BENCH

Details of Associated Provisional Applications No: 2004906629 filed 19 November 2004 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it know to me:- 2

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EXERCISE BENCH c, Technical Field O This invention relates to an exercise bench and in particular to an exercise bench Z of the type having a backrest and seat which can be adjusted.

Background Art Exercise benches are commonly used both in gyms or other like establishments and in the home for the purposes of a user undertaking certain exercises such as weight training. Some exercise benches simply provide a fixed horizontal surface upon which the user may lie to undertake exercises. Exercise benches of this type have limited (Ni applications and appeal. Consequently adjustable exercise benches have been introduced to provide the user with the possibility of undertaking a greater range of exercises.

Some of the adjustable exercise benches have both an adjustable seat and an adjustable backrest with a different adjustment mechanism for adjustment of each component independently. Independent adjustment of each component is not only time consuming but is difficult for users who do not have sufficient knowledge to correctly position the seat relative to the backrest. As a result, exercise benches of this type are often adjusted to a position which is not comfortable to the user or which does not provide sufficient support to the user. For example if the seat is not adjusted correctly relative to the backrest, the user can slide off the seat during an exercise program. As the backrest is adjusted towards the upright position, there is a greater need for the seat to be at the correct angle in order to support both the weight of the user and the weight that a user undergoing weight training is lifting. If a seat is inclined more than necessary, the user may have to sit with their legs spread wide to straddle the front of the seat. This can impede the raising and lowering of a weight held in each hand of a user on the exercise bench.

Summary of the Invention The present invention aims to provide an improved exercise bench which overcomes or alleviates one or more of the above disadvantages or which at least provides an effective alternative to the known exercise benches. The present invention in particular, aims to provide an improved exercise bench having a backrest and a seat which is adjusted automatically with adjustment of the backrest. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

The present invention thus provides in one aspect an exercise bench having a 3 main support, a backrest pivotally connected to said main support for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal fixed pivot axis, a seat pivotally connected to said z support for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal fixed pivot axis and means t interconnecting said backrest and said seat whereby pivotal movement of said backrest about its pivot axis up to a predetermined inclined position causes pivotal movement of said seat about its pivot axis in a first direction and pivotal movement of said backrest beyond said predetermined inclined position causes pivotal movement of said seat about its pivotal axis in a direction opposite said first direction.

~During the pivotal movement of the backrest up to the predetermined inclined position, the included angle between the backrest and seat suitably decreases up to the predetermined inclined position of the backrest. Preferably in the predetermined inclined position of the backrest, the included angle between the backrest and seat is greater than ninety degrees.

During the pivotal movement of the backrest beyond the predetermined inclined position, the included angle between the backrest and seat preferably decreases up to the maximum inclined position of the backrest. Preferably in the maximum inclined position of the backrest, the included angle between the backrest and seat is greater than ninety degrees.

In its maximum inclined position, the backrest suitably is in, or approaching a substantially upright position.

Preferably the pivot axis of the backrest is adjacent the pivot axis of the seat.

Most preferably the pivot axis of the backrest and the pivot axis of the seat are coincident. Preferably the pivot axes of the backrest and seat are defined by a common pivot. The common pivot may comprise one or more pivot pins or axles.

Preferably the angle between the backrest and seat in all positions of the backrest does not fall below ninety degrees.

Preferably in the maximum inclined position of the backrest, the seat is in a substantially horizontal attitude.

The backrest may also be moved to a substantially horizontal attitude. Preferably the backrest when moved to its substantially horizontal attitude causes the seat, through the interconnecting means, to move to a substantially horizontal attitude in substantial horizontal alignment with the backrest.

4 (N Preferably the main support to which the backrest and seat are pivotally mounted ,comprises a support frame. The support frame may have front and rear leg or legs for Z providing stable support to the support frame on a ground surface such as a floor surface.

t The front and rear leg or legs suitably extend downwardly and outwardly away from each other. Preferably the front and rear leg or legs meet at upper junction and the backrest and seat are pivotally mounted to the junction.

Ff Preferably stop means provide support to the backrest and seat when the backrest and seat are in a substantially horizontal attitude. Preferably the stop means compnrises a first stop in the path of movement of the backrest for supporting the backrest in its substantially horizontal attitude and a second stop in the path of movement of the seat for supporting the seat in a substantially horizontal attitude. The stop means are suitably provided on the support frame. Preferably the first stop is mounted directly or indirectly to the rear leg or legs and the second stop is mounted directly or indirectly to the front leg or legs.

Preferably the interconnecting means between the backrest and seat comprise linkage means. The linkage means suitably includes a pivotal link pivotally mounted to the main support. The linkage means suitably also includes a first link member pivotally connected to the pivotal link and seat respectively and a second link member pivotally connected to the pivotal link and backrest respectively.

The pivotal link suitably comprises a bell crank having a pair of arms. Suitably the first link member is pivotally connected to one arm of the bell crank. Suitably the second link member is pivotally connected to the other arm of the bell crank.

Preferably the first link is connected to the seat such that in a first range of inclined positions of the backrest up to the predetermined inclined position, the link member is on one side of the pivot axis of the bell crank and causes the seat to be urged upwardly about its pivot axis as the backrest is inclined. Preferably when the first link member is aligned with the pivot axis of the bell crank, the seat is in its maximum inclined position. Preferably the first link member in a second range of positions of the backrest beyond the predetermined inclined position and up to its maximum inclined position is on the opposite side of the pivot axis of the bell crank. The first link member is connected to the seat such that in the second range of inclined positions of the backrest up to the maximum inclined position, the first link member causes the seat to be urged downwardly about its pivot axis.

O Preferably adjustable means are provided for supporting the backrest in one of a plurality of predetermined inclined positions. The adjustable means may comprise an 0 Z adjustable brace between the backrest and main support. The brace may comprise a tn telescopically adjustable brace.

Alternatively the adjustable means for the backrest may comprise a member _fixed for movement with the backrest, the member having a plurality of locating means for locating the backrest in different positions. Preferably the locating means compnrise a (Ni plurality of apertures a selected one of which may receive a pin or other member to support the backrest in a different inclined position. The main support may have an O 10 aperture with which a selected one of the plurality of apertures may be aligned and the pin or other member may be received in the aligned apertures.

The adjustable means in another configuration may comprise a toothed rack having a number of teeth corresponding to different inclined positions of the backrest.

The toothed rack is suitably mounted to or formed with the main support. The backrest may have a brace extending therefrom which may cooperate with a selected tooth or notch of the rack to set the backrest in a selected inclined position. The arm may terminate in a locating means which may cooperate with a tooth or notch of the rack. A pair or toothed racks may be provided in transverse alignment with each other to receive the locating means in corresponding teeth of the pair or racks. The locating means suitably comprises a cross arm extending transversely of the brace with opposite end portions thereof being receivable in corresponding teeth of the pair of racks.

Whilst the exercise bench is suitably constructed with the stops arranged such that the backrest and seat are substantially horizontal in their lowered positions, the stops may be varied such as to allow the backrest to be pivoted downwardly below a horizontal plane.

Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein Figs. 1 is an isometric view from the front of a first embodiment of exercise bench according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the exercise bench of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view along line A-A of Fig. 2 with the backrest support t 6

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0 mechanism removed; Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the region B of Fig. 3; z Figs. 5 to illustrate different positions of adjustment of the exercise bench of Figs. I to 4; and Figs. 6 and 7 illustrates in opposite isometric views, an alternative embodiment of exercise bench according to the invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figs. 1 to 5, there is illustrated an exercise bench 10 of the incline type according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the bench 10 including a main support frame assembly 11 comprising a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel elongated frame members 12, each of which defines a forwardly and downwardly extending front leg 13 and an integrally formed rearwardly and downwardly extending rear leg 14. The front legs 13 are joined at their lower ends to a front base plate 15 which in use seats on a floor surface or the like. The rear legs 14 are joined at their ends to a transverse arm 16 provided with base plates 17 at their free end for seating flat on a floor or other supporting surface, the base plates 17 being coplanar with the front base plate 15. The arm 16 additionally is provided at its opposite ends with rearwardly extending spaced wheel assemblies 18 which enable the bench to be lifted from the front and thereby supported by the wheel assemblies 18 to enable the bench 10 to be readily moved.

The frame assembly 11 supports a backrest 19 and a front seat 20, the backrest 19 comprising a frame 21 and an elongated cushioned pad 22 secured to the frame 21.

Opposite forwardly extending arms 23 fixed to the backrest 19 or frame 21 are pivotally mounted by a pivot 24 to the frame assembly 11 adjacent the junction of the legs 12 and 13, the pivot 24 permitting pivotal movement of the backrest 19 about a substantially horizontal axis when the support frame assembly 11 is supported on a substantially horizontal supporting surface.

The front seat 20 also comprises a support frame 25 and a cushioned pad 26 secured to the frame 25. Opposite arms 27 of the frame 25 are also mounted to the frame assembly 11 by means of the pivot 24 for pivotal support of the front seat 20. The backrest 19 and seat 20 are thus supported for pivotal movement about a common pivot axis which is normally horizontal. The pivot 24 may be defined by a single pivot pin or bolt extending transversely through the frame members 12 of the frame assembly 11.

tn 7 Alternatively the pivot 24 may be defined by opposite pivot connections such as pivot Npins on opposite sides of the frame assembly 11.

z An elongated stop arm 28 is fixed to the transverse arm 16 intermediate its In opposite ends and extends upwardly from the arm 16 and terminates in a transverse stop member 29. A bumper 30 is provided on the stop member 29 for contact by the frame 21 of the backrest 19. The stop arm 28 is of a length such that when the backrest 19 is in Cc a substantially horizontal attitude, the frame 21 rests on the bumper 30 and is supported by the stop member 29 and arm 28 to thereby provide positive support to the backrest 19 n when horizontal.

Extending downwardly from the frame 25 of the front seat 20 are a pair of brackets 31, the brackets 31 being joined by a cross member 32 at their free ends. The brackets 31 are thus pivotally movable with the front seat 20. A stop arm 33 extends between and is fixed to the front legs 13 in the path of movement of the bracket cross member 32. The stop arm 33 also carries a centrally located bumper 34. The cross member 32 joining the brackets 31 is positioned such that it abuts the bumper 34 when the front seat 20 is in a substantially horizontal attitude. Thus the seat 20 is positively supported to the frame assembly 11 through abutment between the bumper 34 and cross member 32 in the horizontal attitude.

To provide support to the backrest 19 in a series of inclined positions, a central arcuate adjustment member 35 is fixed to the frame 21 of the backrest 19 and extends downwardly therefrom to extend between the legs 14 of the frame members 12. The adjustment member 35 lies in a plane extending at right angles to the pivot axis defined by the pivot 24 of the backrest 19 (and seat 20) and has a radius which is centered on the pivot 24. The adjustment member 35 has a series of regularly spaced apertures 36 therealong. Aligned apertures 37 are provided in the opposite legs 14 of the frame members 12 to receive a stop pin 38. The arcuate member 35 is positioned such that a selected aperture 36 can be aligned with the apertures 37 in the legs 14 such that the stop pin 38 can be passed therethrough to hold the backrest 19 in a selected inclined position determined by an aperture 36 in the member A linkage assembly 39 as more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 interconnects the backrest 19 and front seat 20 and effects automatic adjustment of the pivotal position of the seat 20 with pivotal movement of the backrest 19. The linkage assembly 39 includes a bell crank 40 which is pivotally connected at 41 to the legs 13 of the frame assembly tt3 8 (N 11 for movement about a pivot axis parallel to the axis of pivotal movement of the seat 20 and backrest 19. The bell crank 40 has a pair of divergent arms 42 and 43. A link 0 Z member 44 is pivotally connected at pivot points 45 and 46 at its opposite ends respectively to the free end of the bell crank arm 43 and the brackets 31 of the front seat 20. A second link member 47 is pivotally connected at pivot points 48 and 49 at its opposite ends respectively to the free end of the bell crank arm 42 and the frame 21 of the backrest 19 or other part of the backrest 19 such as lugs on the backrest 19.

(NI In adjustment of the exercise bench 10, the first link member 44 moves from a Sposition in which the link member 44 and a line through the pivot points 45 and 46 is to i 10 one side of the pivot 41 of the bell crank 39, in a position in which the member 44 and line through the pivot points 45 and 46 is aligned with the pivot 41, and an "over center" position in which the member 44 and line through the pivot points 45 and 46 is to the opposite side of the pivot 41. The above orientations correspond to positions where the seat 20 pivots initially upwardly with upward pivoting movement of the backrest 19, a "neutral" position at a predetermined angle of inclination of the backrest 19 and positions where the seat 20 pivots downwardly when the backrest 19 moves upwardly beyond the predetermined angle of inclination.

The above referred to positions are more clearly shown in Figs. 5 to Fig.

illustrates an initial position of the bench 10 with the backrest 19 and seat 20 in a substantially horizontal attitude with the backrest 19 seating on and being supported by the stop 29 through the bumper 30 and stop arm 28. Similarly the cross arm 32 joining the stop brackets 31 engages the stop arm 33 on the legs 13 through the bumper 34 such that the seat 20 is also positively supported in the horizontal attitude. This allow a person on the bench 10 to be fully supported when undertaking exercises when in a lying down attitude such as weight training. It will be noted in this position that the link 44 extends to the left hand side of a line between the pivot point 41 of the bell crank 40 its pivotal connection at pivot point 45 to the link with the line C between the pivot points and 46 extends obliquely to the line between the pivots point 41 and As the backrest 19 is pivoted upwardly as shown in Fig. 5 the link 47 connected to the backrest 19 causes the bell crank 40 to be pivoted anticlockwise. This causes the link 44 to be pivoted clockwise about its pivot connection 46 to the seat 20 to thereby force the seat 20 to pivot upwardly about pivot 24. It will be noted that in the position of Fig. the line C approaches alignment with the pivot point 41.

tn3 9 O The seat 20 will continue to pivot upwardly with increasing inclination of the backrest 19 until the link member 44 and line C is aligned with the pivot point 41 which z is the position of maximum inclination of the seat 20 where the distance between the tt pivot points 41 and 46 is at a maximum.

Continued anti-clockwise pivotal movement of the bell crank 40 as the backrest _19 increases in inclination to the horizontal causes the line C to move out of alignment with and to the opposite side of the pivot point 41 and the link 44 to pivot to an "overcentre" position to the right hand side of the pivot point 41 as shown in Fig.5 This causes the bell crank 40 through the link 44 to pull the seat 20 downwardly about its pivot 24 as the distance between the pivot points 41 and 46 reduces.

As the backrest 19 is further inclined to the horizontal as shown in Fig. the seat 20 will be further pivoted downwardly.

In the position of maximum inclination of the backrest 19 to the horizontal shown in Fig. the seat 20 is pulled down by the link 44 to a substantially horizontal attitude in which it is supported through abutment between the cross member 32 carried by the bracket 31 and stop 33 through the bumper 34. This removes any load from the linkage assembly 39 in the horizontal position of the seat The seat 20 as illustrated is always greater than ninety degrees to the backrest 19 in all positions of the backrest 19 which ensures that the seat 20 is always positioned at a comfortable angle relative to the backrest 19. A user can therefore utilise the entire surface area of the seat instead being forced to rely on the outside front edges of the seat for a disproportionate amount of support. Further the user does not need to have his or her legs spread widely to straddle the front of the seat. Thus raising and lowering of a weight held in each hand in dumbbell exercises will not be impeded.

As the seat 20 is mounted for movement about a fixed pivot axis, it will be closest to the floor when in a horizontal attitude. This ensures that less flexible users such as the elderly do not find it difficult to rise from the exercise position. Further when the backrest 19 and seat 20 are both in a horizontal position, the user is not forced to arch his or her back in order to place their feet in the proper position flat on the floor.

Whilst the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5 illustrates one adjustable support mechanism for the backrest 19 comprising the apertured arcuate member 35 which cooperates with the pin 38 inserted through apertures 37 in the legs 14 of the frame assembly 11, many other different adjustment mechanisms may be used for this purpose.

0 For example a telescopic adjustment member or brace may be provided between the backrest 19 and frame assembly 11. Such an adjustment member or brace can provide z adjustment of the backrest to a number of discrete positions or unrestricted adjustment of the backrest 19.

A further adjustable support mechanism for the backrest 19 is illustrated in the bench 50 of Figs. 6 and 7. The bench 50 is similar to the embodiment of Figs. 1 and and like components have been given like numerals. In this case however the adjustable (Ni support mechanism 51 for the backrest 19 comprises a pair of toothed rack members 52 fixed to the respective rear legs 14 of the frame members 12, each rack member 52 having a series of notches or teeth 53 which are transversely aligned with the notches or teeth 53 of the other opposite rack member 52. A backrest brace 54 is pivotally connected at one end through a pivot 55 to the frame 21 of the backrest 19. The opposite end of the brace 54 is provided with a cross arm 56 in the form of a hollow or solid rod, opposite ends 57 of which can be received in a pair of aligned notches 53 of the respective rack members 52. In the embodiment illustrated, the rack members 52 have five notches or teeth 53 allowing the backrest 19 to be inclined in five different positions. The rack members 52 however may have any number of notches 53 depending upon the number of set positions required for the backrest 19 and thus the seat Typically the frame components of the benches 10 and 50 are constructed of steel or aluminium but maybe constructed of other metals or other materials such as glass reinforced plastics materials.

The backrest 19 and seat 20 of course may be of different configurations other than in the configuration disclosed in the embodiments and similarly the frame assembly 11 of the exercises benches may be replaced by a support structure of a different configuration. Although a linkage assembly 39 having only one bell crank 40 and single link members 44 and 47 is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the linkage assembly 39 may comprises a pair of spaced bell cranks 40 and link members 44 and 47 which move in parallelism being interconnected at the pivot connections 41, 45,44, 48 and 49.

It should be noted that reference to the prior art herein is not to be taken as an acknowledgement that such prior art constitutes common general knowledge in the art.

The term "comprising" or "comprises" as used throughout the specification and claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components in 11 referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof.

z Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the tIt invention, all such variations and modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein defined by the appended claims.

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Claims (34)

1. An exercise bench having a main support, a backrest pivotally connected to said main support for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal fixed pivot axis, a _seat pivotally connected to said main support for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal fixed pivot axis and means interconnecting said backrest and seat whereby pivotal movement of said backrest about its pivot axis up to a predetermined inclined position causes pivotal movement of said seat about its pivot axis in a first direction and pivotal movement of said backrest beyond said predetermined inclined position causes pivotal movement of said seat about its pivotal axis in a direction opposite said first direction.

2. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 1 wherein, in pivotal movement of the backrest up to the predetermined inclined position, the included angle between the backrest and seat decreases up to the predetermined inclined position of the backrest.

3. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 2 wherein, in the predetermined inclined position of the backrest, the included angle between the backrest and seat is greater than ninety degrees.

4. An exercise bench as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein, during the pivotal movement of the backrest beyond the predetermined inclined position, the included angle between the backrest and seat decreases up to the maximum inclined position of the backrest.

An exercise bench as claimed in claim 4 wherein, in the maximum inclined attitude of the backrest, the included angle between the backrest and seat is greater than ninety degrees.

6. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein in its maximum inclined position, the backrest is in, or approaching a substantially upright position. 3 13 O

7. An exercise bench as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein in the maximum inclined position of the backrest, the seat is in a substantially horizontal 0 z attitude.

8. An exercise bench as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said pivot axis of the backrest is adjacent the pivot axis of the seat.

9. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 8 wherein the pivot axis of the backrest and the pivot axis of the seat are coincident.

An exercise bench as claimed in claim 9 wherein the pivot axes of the backrest and seat are defined by a common pivot.

11. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 10 wherein said common pivot comprises one or more pivot pins or axles.

12. An exercise bench as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the angle between the backrest and seat in all positions of the backrest does not fall below ninety degrees.

13. An exercise bench as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said backrest is capable of being moved to a substantially horizontal attitude.

14. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 13 wherein said backrest when moved to its substantially horizontal attitude causes, through said interconnecting means, said seat to move to a substantially horizontal attitude in substantial horizontal alignment with the backrest.

An exercise bench as claimed in claim 14 and including stop means adapted to support the backrest and seat to the main support when the backrest and seat are in a substantially horizontal attitude.

16. A backrest as claimed in claim 15 wherein the stop means comprises a first stop tt 14 O for supporting said backrest in its substantially horizontal attitude and a second stop for supporting said seat it its substantially horizontal attitude. O

17. An exercise bench as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said interconnecting means between the backrest and seat comprise linkage means.

18. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 17 wherein said linkage means includes a pivotal link pivotally mounted to the main support, a first link member pivotally connected to the pivotal link and seat respectively and a second link member pivotally connected to the pivotal link and backrest respectively.

19. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 18 wherein said pivotal link comprises a bell crank having a pair of arms, said first link member being pivotally connected to one arm of the bell crank and the second link member being pivotally connected to the other arm of the bell crank.

An exercise bench as claimed in claim 19 wherein said first link member is connected to the seat such that in a first range of inclined positions of the backrest up to the predetermined inclined position, the first link member is on one side of the pivot axis of the bell crank and causes the seat to be urged upwardly about its pivot axis as the backrest is pivoted upwardly about its pivot axis.

21. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 20 wherein when the first link member is aligned with the pivot axis of the bell crank, the seat is in its maximum inclined position.

22. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 20 or 21 wherein said first link member in a second range of inclined positions of the backrest beyond the predetermined inclined position is on the opposite side of the pivot axis of the bell crank.

23. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 22 wherein said first link member is connected to the seat such that in movement of the backrest through said second range of positions, the first link member causes the seat to be urged downwardly about its pivot axis.

24. An exercise bench as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and including z means for supporting the backrest in one of a plurality of predetermined inclined positions.

An exercise bench as claimed in claim 24 wherein said supporting means comprise an adjustable brace between the backrest and frame.

26. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 24 wherein said supporting means for the backrest comprises a member fixed for movement with the backrest, the member having a plurality of locating means for locating said backrest in different inclined positions.

27. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 26 wherein said locating means comprise a plurality of apertures a selected one of which may receive a pin to support the backrest in a said inclined position.

28. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 24 wherein said supporting means comprises a toothed rack having a number of teeth corresponding to different inclined positions of the backrest.

29. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 28 wherein said backrest has a brace extending therefrom adapted to cooperate with a selected tooth or notch of the rack to support the backrest in a selected inclined attitude.

30. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 29 wherein said brace terminates in locating means adapted to cooperate with a tooth or notch of the rack.

31. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 30 and including a pair or toothed racks in transverse alignment with each other to receive the locating means in corresponding teeth of the pair or racks.

32. An exercise bench as claimed in claim 31 wherein said locating means compnrises a cross arm extending transversely of the brace with opposite end portions thereof being receivable in corresponding teeth of the pair of racks.

33. An exercise bench as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein said main support comprises a support frame, said support frame having a front and rear leg or legs extending downwardly and outwardly away from each other and wherein said backrest and seat are pivotally mounted to the upper junction between said leg or legs.

34. An exercise bench substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 or Figs. 6 and 7 of accompanying drawings. Dated this fifteenth day of November 2005 KEDAMI PTY LTD By Theiryatent Attorney JOHN GARDNER