Dual adjustable pulley weight apparatus

• US 6,527,683 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2001
• Issued: 03/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Life Fitness LLC
• Original Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Inventors: Tolles, Bret A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thanh, Quang D
• Application Number:
  US09/784,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20010034290A1
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 482/98, 482/99, 482/100, 482/101, 482/102, 482/103, 482/138, 482/908
• US Class Current: 482/99
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/152 Bowden-type cables
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/156 the position of the pulleys being variable, e.g. for different exercises
• 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 machine having a frame, weight stack, pulleys, and cables and incorporating a dual adjustable pulley system is disclosed. The weight stack is slidably connected to the frame. A primary moveable pulley system is engaged with the weight stack by way of a primary cable. The primary cable has a handle connected to its first end and its second end is fixed with respect to an exercise movement. A series of directional pulleys are also engaged with the primary cable. The directional pulleys are positioned on the frame to allow for an exerciser to perform multiple exercises employing the weight stack. A secondary moveable pulley system is engaged with the primary moveable pulley system. The secondary moveable pulley system can be selectively engaged with the weight stack using a releasable coupler. A secondary cable is functionally engaged with the secondary moveable pulley system and a number of directional pulleys. The secondary cable has a first end that is fixed to a floating pulley. The floating pulley is functionally engaged with the primary cable. The secondary cable has second end that selectively engages the weight stack. The relationship between the primary moveable pulley system and the secondary moveable pulley system is such that when the handle is moved in an exercise motion, the weight stack provides resistance to the exercise motion.

Claims

1. An exercise machine comprising:

a frame;

a weight stack slidably connected to the frame;

a primary moveable pulley system engaged with the weight stack comprising;

a primary cable having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is moveable in response to an exercise motion, and the second end is fixed with respect to the first end; and

one or more directional pulleys;

a secondary moveable pulley system selectively engaged with the weight stack comprising;

a floating pulley; and

a secondary cable having a first end connected to the floating pulley and a second end selectively engaged with the weight stack;

wherein the primary cable is functionally engaged with the one or more directional pulleys and the floating pulley such that when the first end of the primary cable is moved in the exercise motion, the weight stack provides resistance to the exercise motion; and

wherein selective engagement of the secondary moveable pulley system with the weight stack changes the mechanical advantage of the primary moveable pulley system.

2. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first directional pulley has a collar that can be adjusted for height on the frame using a spring loaded pin.

3. The machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first directional pulley comprises two pulley wheels rotating in the same plane.

4. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary moveable pulley system engages the weight stack with a bayonet that extends through the weight stack and the weight stack has a number of weight plates that can be engaged by inserting a pin through the weight stack into the bayonet.

5. The machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein a lower end of the bayonet includes a slot and a coupler.

6. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary cable can be selectively engaged with the weight stack using a releasable coupling comprising:

a ball connected to the end of the second cable;

a slot in the coupling into which the ball can be selectively engaged; and

a latching lever wherein the coupling is connected to the lower end of the bayonet by engaging the latching lever.

7. The machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the secondary cable includes a stop below the ball, wherein the stop abuts a top portion of the latching lever when the second cable is not engaged with the coupler.

8. An exercise machine comprising:

a frame;

a weight stack slidably connected to the frame;

a primary moveable pulley system engaged with a weight stack comprising;

a primary cable;

having a first end

a first directional pulley;

a plurality of fixed primary directional pulleys secured to the frame; and

at least two moveable pulleys secured to the weight stack;

a secondary moveable pulley system selectively engaged with a weight stack comprising;

a floating pulley;

a secondary cable with a first end connected to the floating pulley;

a plurality of fixed secondary directional pulleys connected to the frame; and

a releasable coupling between a second end of the secondary cable and the weight stack;

wherein the primary cable is functionally engaged with the first directional pulley, the plurality of primary directional pulleys, and the floating pulley such that when the first end of the primary cable is moved in an exercise motion, the weight stack provides resistance to the exercise motion; and

the secondary cable is functionally engaged with the secondary directional pulleys and can be selectively engaged with the weight stack.

9. The machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first directional pulley includes a collar that can be adjusted for height on the frame using a spring loaded pin.

10. The machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first directional pulley comprises two pulley wheels rotating in the same plane.

11. The machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the primary moveable pulley system engages the weight stack with a bayonet that extends through the weight stack and the weight stack has a number of weight plates that can be engaged by inserting a pin through the weight stack into the bayonet.

12. The machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein a lower end of the bayonet includes a slot and a coupler.

13. The machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the secondary cable can be selectively engaged with the weight stack using a releasable coupling comprising:

a ball connected to the end of the second cable wherein the ball can be selectively engaged with the slot; and

a latching lever wherein the coupler is connected to the lower end of the bayonet by engaging the latching lever.

14. The machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the secondary cable includes a stop below the ball, wherein the stop abuts a top portion of the latching lever when the second cable is not engaged with the coupler.

15. An exercise machine comprising:

a frame having an upper and a lower portion;

a weight stack slidably connected to the frame;

a primary moveable pulley system engaged with the weight stack comprising;

a primary cable having a first end connected to a handle and a second end connected to a first directional pulley;

one or more directional pulleys secured to the upper portion of the frame;

a fixed pulley secured to the upper portion of the frame;

a first and second moveable pulley connected to a bayonet; and

one or more directional pulleys secured to the lower portion of the frame;

a secondary moveable pulley system selectively engaged with the weight stack comprising;

a floating pulley;

a secondary cable with a first end connected to the floating pulley;

one or more secondary directional pulleys secured to the lower portion of the frame; and

a releasable coupling situated between a second end of the secondary cable and the weight stack;

wherein the primary cable extends in a path which engages the first directional pulley, the one or more directional pulleys secured to the upper frame, the first moveable pulley, the fixed pulley, the second moveable pulley, the floating pulley, the one or more directional pulleys secured to the lower frame, and finally end of the primary cable is fixed to the first directional pulley;

the secondary cable extends in a path which extends from the floating pulley to engage the one or more secondary directional pulleys secured to the lower frame and the secondary pulley is releasably coupled with the weight stack and wherein selective engagement of the secondary moveable pulley system with the weight stack changes the mechanical advantage of the primary moveable pulley system.

16. The machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first directional pulley has a collar that can be adjusted for height on the frame using a spring loaded pin.

17. The machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first directional pulley comprises two pulley wheels rotating in the same plane.

18. The machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the primary moveable pulley system engages the weight stack with a bayonet that extends through the weight stack and the weight stack has a number of weight plates that can be engaged by inserting a pin through the weight stack into the bayonet.

19. The machine as claimed in claim 18, wherein the lower end of the bayonet includes a slot and a coupler.

20. The machine as claimed in claim 19, wherein the secondary cable can be selectively engaged with the weight stack using a releasable coupling comprising:

a ball connected to the end of the second cable wherein the ball can be selectively engaged with the slot; and

a latching lever wherein the coupler is connected to the lower end of the bayonet by engaging the latching lever.