Adjustable-load unitary multi-position bench exercise unit

• US 20020077230A1
• Filed: 03/08/2001
• Published: 06/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nantilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Warner, Patrick A., Harding, Michael H., Baker, William A., Trevino, Richard W., Lull, Andrew P., Krapfl, Zachary D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,922,635 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/142
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00 Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/02 using resilient force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/155 Cam-shaped pulleys or other non-uniform pulleys, e.g. conical
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4029 Benches specifically adapted for exercising for bench press exercises A63B21/078
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4031 with parts of the bench moving against a resistance during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/10 Multi-station exercising machines
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/00 Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body A63B22/00 takes precedence; force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00; devices for exercising or strengthening of fingers, or arms in teaching operation of keyboards G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/908 Adjustable

Abstract

An exercise unit that is a bench-based, has an easily adjustable load exercise system using a resistance engine that can provide a constant load level through the entire range of motion to approximate the use of free-weights, is portable, and reconfigures easily to several different shapes for different exercises. The exercise unit is compact, has a minimal vertical height, and weighs much less than the maximum resistance load that it can create. The bench unit can be stood on its end for compact storage.

Claims

1. An exercise unit comprising:

a frame;

a seat positioned on said frame;

a resistance engine attached to said frame and utilizing elastomere springs;

an actuator attached to said resistance engine

wherein said resistance engine provides a constant load to a user when said actuator is actuated.

2. An exercise unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said resistance engine is able to be selectively pre-loaded.

3. An exercise unit as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said actuator is a cable.

4. An exercise unit as defined in claim 3, wherein:

said cable is a cord.

5. An exercise unit as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said frame defines a bench; and

said resistance engine is positioned completely below said seat.

6. An exercise unit as defined in claim 3, further comprising:

a spiral pulley positioned between said resistance engine and said cable.

7. An exercise unit as defined in claim 3, further comprising:

means for modifying said increasing load into a constant load when a user actuates said resistance engine.

8. An exercise unit as defined in claim 7, wherein said means comprises a spiral pulley.

9. An exercise unit comprising:

a frame;

a seat positioned on said frame;

means, attached to said frame, for providing a constant load to a user, said means utilizing resilient bands;

an actuator attached to said means.

10. An exercise unit as defined in claim 9, wherein:

said means are located below said seat.

11. An exercise unit as defined in claim 10, wherein:

said frame defines a bench exercise unit.

14. A bench exercise unit as defined in claim 13, wherein:

said at least one arm is movable in one dimension.

15. A bench exercise unit as defined in claim 13, wherein said at least one arm is movable in two dimensions.

16. A bench exercise unit as defined in claim 13, wherein said at least one arm is movable in three dimensions.

17. A bench exercise unit as defined in claim 13, wherein:

said actuator is a cable; and

said cable is attached to said resistance engine by a cable pulley system.

18. A bench exercise unit as defined in claim 17, wherein:

said means for providing a constant load is a spiral pulley.

19. A bench exercise unit as defined in claim 13, wherein:

said at least one arm includes two arms, one on either side of said bench;

means for interconnecting said arms to allow both arms to move upon the repositioning of one of said arms.

20. A bench exercise unit as defined in claim 19, wherein said means for interconnecting said arms is a chain drive mechanism.

12. An exercise unit as defined in 9, wherein:

said means includes a means for pre-loading.

13. A bench exercise unit comprising:

a frame;

a seat positioned on said frame;

a resistance engine utilizing resilient bands and including means for providing a constant load;

at least one movable arm;

an actuator attached to said resistance engine and said arm for use by a user in effecting an exercise motion.

21. A bench exercise unit comprising:

a frame;

a seat positioned on said frame;

an adjustable load resistance engine; and

wherein a user can personally relocate the exercise unit.