Weight selection apparatus for a weight stack

• US 20060217245A1
• Filed: 03/16/2006
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Warner, Patrick A., Golesh, Eric D., Smith, Robert J., Harrach-Salazar, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 7,758,478 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/94
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/063 Weight selecting means

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to a weight stack including a weight selector mechanism providing an adjustable source of resistance for use with a variety of load bearing exercise devices. The weight stack can include a plurality of weight plates stacked one on top of another. The weight selection mechanism can include a weight selector member extending through and adapted to selectively connect with each weight plate. The weight selector member can include a plurality of projections adapted to selectively engage engagement surfaces in the weight plates. A user can rotate the weight selector member with a selector knob to connect the desired number of weights to be lifted with the weight selector member. Embodiments of the weight stack can also include a locking mechanism that prevent a user from turning the weight selector member once a sufficient lifting force is applied to the selected weight plates.

Claims

1. A weight stack for an exercise device comprising:

a plurality of weight plates each having a uniquely shaped engagement surface;

an engagement assembly supported on the plurality of weight plates, the engagement assembly including a longitudinal member with a plurality of longitudinally spaced projections;

wherein each unique engagement surface is arranged adjacent the longitudinal member; and

wherein the longitudinal member is rotatably positionable to arrange the spaced projections for engagement with a corresponding uniquely shaped engagement surface to engage one or more of the plurality of weight plates.

2. The weight stack of claim 1, wherein the plurality of longitudinally spaced projections comprises a plurality of triangularly-shaped tabs.

3. The weight stack of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of weight plates includes an aperture and wherein the weight stack further comprises:

a plurality of collars adapted to be received within the apertures in the plurality of weight plates, each collar defining the uniquely shaped engagement surfaces.

4. The weight stack of claim 1, the engagement assembly further comprising a grip member operably connected with the longitudinal member to adjust the rotational position of the longitudinal member.

5. The weight stack of claim 4, wherein the grip member is a knob.

6. The weight stack of claim 4, the engagement assembly further comprising a gear train connecting the grip member with the longitudinal member.

7. The weight stack of claim 6, wherein the gear train comprises:

a first gear connected with the grip member;

a second gear connected with the longitudinal member; and

wherein the first gear member is engaged with the second gear member.

8. The weight stack of claim 4, the engagement assembly further comprising:

a first pulley connected with the grip member;

a second pulley connected with the longitudinal member; and

at least one belt operably connecting the first pulley with the second pulley.

9. The weight stack of claim 1, further comprising a lock member operably associated with the longitudinal member to selectively lock the rotational position of the longitudinal member.

10. The weight stack of claim 9, wherein the lock member comprises a pin selectively operably connectable with the longitudinal member.

11. The weight stack of claim 9, the engagement assembly further comprising a grip member operably connected with the longitudinal member to adjust the rotational position of the longitudinal member;

and

wherein the lock member comprises a key selectively connectable with the grip member.

12. The weight stack of claim 1, wherein each uniquely shaped engagement surface is a uniquely sized flange.

13. A weight stack for an exercise device comprising:

a first weight plate having a first aperture with a first engagement surface defining a first size;

a second weight plate having a second aperture with a second engagement surface defining a second size;

an engagement assembly selectively connected with the first weight plate and the second weight plate, the engagement assembly including a rotatably supported longitudinal member including a first projection adapted to selectively engage the first engagement surface and a second projection adapted to selectively engage the second engagement surface;

wherein when the longitudinal member is in a first rotational orientation, the first projection is positioned to engage the first engagement surface and the second projection is not positioned to engage the second engagement surface; and

wherein when the longitudinal member is in a second rotational orientation, the first projection is positioned to engage the first engagement surface and the second projection is positioned to engage the second engagement surface.

14. The weight stack of claim 13, wherein the first engagement surface comprises a first flange.

15. The weight stack of claim 13, wherein the first projection and the second projection comprise first and second triangularly-shaped tabs.

16. The weight stack of claim 13, wherein the first weight plate include an aperture and further comprising:

a first collar adapted to be received within the first aperture.

17. The weight stack of claim 13, the engagement assembly further comprising a grip member operably connected with the longitudinal member to adjust the rotational position of the longitudinal member.

18. The weight stack of claim 17, wherein the grip member is a knob.

19. The weight stack of claim 17, the engagement assembly further comprising a gear train connecting the grip member with the longitudinal member.

20. The weight stack of claim 19, wherein the gear train comprises:

a first gear connected with the grip member;

a second gear connected with the longitudinal member; and

wherein the first gear member is engaged with the second gear member.

21. The weight stack of claim 17, the engagement assembly further comprising:

a first pulley connected with the grip member;

a second pulley connected with the longitudinal member; and

at least one belt operably connecting the first pulley with the second pulley.

22. The weight stack of claim 13, further comprising a third weight plate rotatably supporting the longitudinal member.

23. The weight stack of claim 13, further comprising a lock member operably associated with the longitudinal member to selectively lock the rotational position of the longitudinal member.

24. The weight stack of claim 23, wherein the lock member comprises a pin selectively operably connectable with the longitudinal member.

25. The weight stack of claim 13, the engagement assembly further comprising a grip member operably connected with the longitudinal member to adjust the rotational position of the longitudinal member;

and

wherein the lock member comprises a key selectively connectable with the grip member.

26. A weight stack for an exercise device comprising:

a first weight plate including a first aperture having a first engagement surface and a first slot;

a second weight plate including a second aperture having a second engagement surface and a second slot;

a longitudinal member extending through and adapted to rotate relative to the first aperture and the second aperture, the longitudinal member including a first projection adapted to engage the first engagement surface and a second projection adapted to engage second engagement surface;

wherein when the longitudinal member is in a first rotational orientation, the first projection is aligned with the first engagement surface and the second projection is aligned with the first slot and the second slot; and

wherein when the longitudinal member is in a second rotational position, the first projection is aligned with the first engagement surface and the second projection is aligned with the second engagement surface.

27. The weight stack of claim 26, wherein the first engagement surface comprises a first flange.

28. The weight stack of claim 26, wherein the first projection and the second projection comprise first and second triangularly-shaped tabs.

29. The weight stack of claim 26, further comprising a first collar adapted to be received within the first aperture.

30. The weight stack of claim 26, further comprising a grip member operably connected with the longitudinal member to adjust the rotational position of the longitudinal member.

31. The weight stack of claim 30, wherein the grip member is a knob.

32. The weight stack of claim 30, further comprising a gear train connecting the grip member with the longitudinal member.

33. The weight stack of claim 32, wherein the gear train comprises:

a first gear connected with the grip member;

a second gear connected with the longitudinal member; and

wherein the first gear member is engaged with the second gear member.

34. The weight stack of claim 30, further comprising:

a first pulley connected with the grip member;

a second pulley connected with the longitudinal member; and

at least one belt operably connecting the first pulley with the second pulley.

35. The weight stack of claim 26, further comprising a third weight plate rotatably supporting the longitudinal member.

36. The weight stack of claim 26, further comprising a lock member operably associated with the longitudinal member to selectively lock the rotational position of the longitudinal member.

37. The weight stack of claim 36, wherein the lock member comprises a pin selectively operably connectable with the longitudinal member.

38. The weight stack of claim 36, further comprising a grip member operably connected with the longitudinal member to adjust the rotational position of the longitudinal member;

and

wherein the lock member comprises a key selectively connectable with the grip member.

39. A weight stack for an exercise device comprising:

a plurality of weight plates each having a uniquely shaped engagement surface;

a means for selectively engaging each uniquely shaped engagement surface supported on the plurality of weight plates; and

a means for rotating the means for selectively engaging.

40. The weight stack of claim 39, further comprising:

a means for selectively locking the rotational position of the means for selectively engaging.