EXERCISE EQUIPMENT WITH MULTI-POSITIONING HANDLES

• US 20070010383A1
• Filed: 09/18/2006
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Pertegaz-Esteban, Victor
• Granted Patent: US 7,608,028 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/139
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4017 to the upper limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03533 With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1263 Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements

Abstract

A handle for an exercise device, the handle attached to an actuating arm of the exercise device and including a connection structure that allows the handle to rotate with respect to the arm, as well as pivot in at least two directions orthogonal to the rotation axis.

Claims

1. A handle assembly operatively associated with an arm assembly of an exercise machine, the handle assembly comprising:

a handle member including a base portion and rotatable relative to the arm assembly around a rotation axis passing through a mid-point of the base portion; and

the handle member further including an asymmetrical shape about the rotation axis such that the handle member rotates to a default position when not in use.

2. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the default position is an upright position.

3. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle member further comprises at least one leg extending from the base portion.

4. The handle assembly of claim 3, further comprising a grasping member operatively associated with the at least one leg.

5. The handle assembly of claim 4, wherein the grasping member is rotatable relative to the at least one leg around a second rotation axis.

6. A handle assembly for use with an exercise machine, the handle assembly comprising:

a handle member operatively associated with an arm assembly of the exercise machine;

the handle member movable by a user to at least two positions, the at least two positions including a default position;

the handle member including a base portion, a first leg extending a first length from the base portion, and a second leg extending a second length from the base portion; and

the first length of the first leg and the second length of the second leg are different lengths thereby biasing the handle member to the default position when not in use.

7. The handle assembly of claim 6, wherein the default position is an upright position.

8. The handle assembly of claim 6, further comprising a grasping member operatively associated with the first and second legs.

9. The handle assembly of claim 8, wherein the grasping member rotates relative to the first and second legs around a rotation axis.

10. An exercise device comprising:

at least one arm assembly operatively associated with a load;

a generally U-shaped bracket defining a base member and supporting a gripping portion;

a first axle operatively associated with the base member and extending from the base member;

a second axle operatively associated with the first axle;

a third axle operatively associated with the second axle;

a sleeve including at least one bearing therein, the sleeve operatively associated with the third axle and operatively associated with the at least one arm assembly; and

the first axle and the second axle are movable to at least two positions relative to each other with one of the at least two positions being a position where the first and second axles are substantially longitudinally aligned.

11. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the third axle is rotatable relative to the at least one arm assembly around a rotation axis.

12. The exercise device of claim 11, wherein a rotation of the bracket around the rotation axis causes rotation of the third axle around the rotation axis.

13. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the bracket is pivotable relative to the first axle around a pivot axis.

14. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the first axle is pivotable relative to the second axle around a first pivot axis.

15. The exercise device of claim 14, wherein the first axle is further pivotable relative to the second axle around a second pivot axis.

16. The exercise device of claim 15, wherein the first pivot axis is substantially orthogonal to the second pivot axis.

17. The exercise device of claim 15, wherein the bracket is pivotable relative to the first axle around a third pivot axis.

18. An exercise apparatus comprising:

an arm assembly operatively associated with a load;

a handle member;

a first axle operatively associated with the handle member;

a second axle operatively associated with the first axle and operatively associated with the arm assembly;

the first axle and the second axle are pivotable relative to each other around a first pivot axis;

the first axle and the second axle are further pivotable relative to each other around a second pivot axis;

the first axle and the second axle may be pivoted relative to each other around at least one of the first and second pivot axes to at least two positions with one of the at least two positions being a position where the first and second axles are substantially longitudinally aligned;

the second axle is rotatable relative to the arm assembly around a first rotation axis;

the handle member is rotatable around the first rotation axis such that rotation of the handle member around the first rotation axis causes rotation of the second axle around the first rotation axis.

19. The exercise apparatus of claim 18, wherein the handle member is pivotable relative to the first axle around a third pivot axis.

20. The exercise apparatus of claim 19, wherein the handle member includes a generally U-shaped bracket operatively associated with a grasping member.

21. The exercise apparatus of claim 20, wherein the grasping member is rotatable relative to the bracket around a second rotation axis.

22. The exercise apparatus of claim 20, wherein the bracket defines a first leg and a second leg extending generally transversely from a base portion.

23. The exercise apparatus of claim 22, wherein the first axle extends substantially perpendicularly from the base portion.

24. The exercise apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a third axle operatively associated with the second axle and with the arm assembly.

25. The exercise apparatus of claim 24, wherein:

the third axle is rotatable relative to the arm assembly around the first rotation axis; and

rotation of the second axle around the first rotation axis causes rotation of the third axle around the first rotation axis.