Leg training machine for body builders

• US 5,050,868 A
• Filed: 03/16/1990
• Issued: 09/24/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Criterion Bodybuilding Equipment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Criterion Bodybuilding Equipment Incorporated
• Inventors: Pearson, Bruce E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahr, Robert
• Application Number:
  US07/494,447
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 272/93, 272/117, 272/118, 272/123, 272/134
• US Class Current: 482/94
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/0411 Squatting exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0615 pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0626 with substantially vertical guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4045 Reciprocating movement along, in or on a guide weights moving along or in guiding means A63B21/06; for cardio-training A63B22/201
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615

Abstract

An exercising machine for bodybuilders which facilitates the safe and proper performance of various lower body exercises such as squats and lunges. The machine safely facilitates free, natural movements in two planes to promote muscle growth and bone and tendon strength. The machine is ideally suited to use as a rehabilitation device. A rigid steel frame of generally rectangular configuration rests upon a resilient, skid-resistant mat. The frame comprises rigid, spaced apart side rails and parallel cross members. A carriage assembly is slidably disposed upon the rails for movement along the frame. The carriage assembly includes a pair of rigid, parallel arches which extend vertically from roller assemblies associated with the frame rails. The roller assemblies comprise twin-bearing pillow blocks which permit the carriage to roll securely along the rails. A weight bar system extending between carriage sides may be loaded as desired by the bodybuilder. The weight bar system includes a horizontal weight bar contacted by the exerciser and rotatable, offset weight supports. A padded yoke associated with the weight bar harnesses the exerciser to the machine. Vertical guide rods associated with each side of the carriage assembly establish a vertical path for defining upward and downward movement of the weight bar. Weight bar sleeves coaxially mated to the guide rods enable vertical movement of the weight bar during operation. A weight bar restraint system safely retains the weight bar in a desired elevated position until released by manipulation of an associated pair of handgrips by the exerciser. A selectively positionable auxiliary drop bar prevents injury to the bodybuilder as a result of inadvertent release of the weight bar assembly during operation.

Claims

1. A machine for use by an exerciser for muscle conditioning, muscle rehabilitation, body building, weight training, and exercising, said machine comprising:

a rigid, generally planar frame adapted to be disposed upon a supporting surface such as the floor of a gymnasium, said frame comprising a front and a back, and a pair of parallel, spaced apart side rails extending generally horizontally between said front and said back;

a resilient, skid-resistant base defined by said frame between said side rails upon which the exerciser may stand;

a carriage assembly movable by said exerciser relative to said frame, said carriage assembly comprising;

a pair of spaced apart vertically upwardly extending sides slidably supported upon said frame rails for movements generally between said frame front and said frame back, each side comprising vertical guide rod means;

weight bar means operatively extending between said sides for supporting user-selected weights, said weight bar means comprising;

yoke means engageable by said exerciser;

sleeve means coupled to said guide rod means facilitating slidable, generally vertical, axial weight bar movements with respect to said sides;

means for rotatably coupling said weight bar means to said sleeve means to facilitate torsional displacements of said weight bar means concurrently with up and down movements thereof; and

,

means for dynamically varying in length for resiliently compensating for non-parallel alignment of said carriage sides;

restraint means for resting said weight bar means at a desired elevation above said floor to temporarily support the weights, said restraint means comprising a rotatable, vertical stanchion associated with each of said carriage sides, said stanchion being spaced apart from said guide rod means and comprising wing means adapted to be rotated into position to selectively contact said weight bar means to at least temporarily hold same;

compensation linkage means for synchronizing rotation of said vertical stanchions on each of said carriage means sides;

drop bar means for preventing injury to said bodybuilder by limiting downward travel of said weight bar in response to inadvertent release or dropping of said weight bar means, said drop bar means comprising pairs of support struts disposed along said carriage sides for slidably receiving said weight bar means;

means for joining and retaining said carriage sides in proper parallel alignment;

whereby said carriage means may move relative to said frame concurrently with movements of said weight bar means to facilitate the practice of weighted lunges or similar exercises by said exerciser.

2. The machine as defined in claim 1 including means for temporarily locking said carriage assembly in a stationary position at the back of the frame or at the front of said frame.

3. A bodybuilding machine for use by an exerciser for conditioning, rehabilitating, and exercising the legs and lower body muscles, said bodybuilding machine comprising:

a rigid frame adapted to be disposed upon a supporting surface such as the floor of a gymnasium, said frame comprising a front and a back, a pair of parallel, spaced apart side rails extending generally horizontally perpendicularly between said front and said back, and a resilient, skid-resistant floor secured within said frame;

a carriage assembly adapted for selective movement relative to said frame, said carriage assembly comprising;

a pair of rigid, spaced apart vertically upwardly extending sides slidably supported upon said frame rails for movements generally between said frame front and said frame back, each side comprising vertical guide rod means;

weight bar means operatively extending between said sides for supporting a user-selected load of weights, said weight bar means comprising sleeve means concentrically coupled to said guide rod means for slidable axial movement with respect thereto and means for rotatably coupling said weight bar means to said sleeve means to facilitate rotation of said weight bar means concurrently with up and down movements thereof;

arch means joining said sides and compensating for non-parallel alignment of said carriage sides, said last-mentioned means comprising tube means for slidably receiving the upper ends of said carriage sides and calibrated slot means penetrated by fastener means for securing said carriage ends;

means for temporarily locking said carriage assembly in a stationary position relative to said frame;

restraint means for selectively, temporarily restraining said weight bar means at a desired elevation above said floor, said restraint means comprising a rotatable vertical stanchion associated with each of said carriage sides, said stanchion being spaced apart from said guide rod means and comprising wing means adapted to be rotated into position for selectively supporting and releasing said weight bar means for slidable displacement along said guide rod means;

compensation linkage means extending between opposite sides of said carriage assembly for synchronizing rotation of said stanchions; and

,

safety brace means for preventing injury to said exerciser from inadvertent release of said weight bar means from said carriage, said safety brace means comprising a safety drop bar transversely mounted between slotted struts associated with each of said carriage sides.

4. A bodybuilding machine for use by an exerciser for conditioning, rehabilitating, and exercising the legs and lower body muscles, said bodybuilding machine comprising:

a rigid frame adapted to be disposed upon a supporting surface such as the floor of a gymnasium, said frame comprising a front and a back, a pair of parallel, spaced apart side rails extending generally horizontally perpendicularly between said front and said back, and a resilient, skid-resistant floor secured within said frame;

a carriage assembly adapted for selective movement relative to said frame, said carriage assembly comprising;

a pair of rigid, spaced apart vertically upward extending sides slidably supported upon said frame rails for movements generally between said frame front and said frame back, each side comprising vertical guide rod means;

weight bar means operatively extending between said sides for supporting a user-selected load of weights, said weight bar means comprising sleeve means concentrically coupled to said guide rod means for slidable axial movement with respect thereto and means for rotatably coupling said weight bar means to said sleeve means to facilitate rotation of said weight bar means concurrently with up and down movements thereof;

arch means joining said sides and compensating for non-parallel alignment of said carriage sides, said last-mentioned means comprising tube means for slidably receiving the upper ends of said carriage sides and calibrated slot means penetrated by fastener means for securing said carriage ends;

means for temporarily locking said carriage assembly in a stationary position relative to said frame;

restraint means for selectively, temporarily restraining said weight bar means at a desired elevation above said floor, said restraint means comprising a rotatable vertical stanchion associated with each of said carriage sides, said stanchion being spaced apart from said guide rod means and comprising wing means adapted to be rotated into position for selectively supporting and releasing said weight bar means for slidable displacement along said guide rod means;

compensation linkage means extending between opposite sides of said carriage assembly for synchronizing rotation of said stanchions;

safety brace means for preventing injury to said exerciser from inadvertent release of said weight bar means from said carriage; and

,

wherein said weight bar means comprises means for dynamically varying in length for resiliently compensating for non-parallel alignment of said carriage sides.