Weight lifting exercise machine for use with dumbbell weights

• US 6,755,770 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2001
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Millennium Fitness, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Millennium Fitness, Ltd.
• Inventors: Martens, Philip S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly, Jerome W.
• Application Number:
  US09/923,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20020028733A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• Field of Search: 482/101-108, 482/98, 482/103, 482/99, 482/908, D21/197
• US Class Current: 482/99
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/072 Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like , e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/10 Multi-station exercising machines

Abstract

A weight lifting exercise machine that uses dumbbell weights for the weight resistance and for incremental weight adjustment. Dumbbells are particularly suitable since they are usable both as free weights and as incremental weights for the exercise machine. The machine includes an overall frame that stands on the floor, and at least one vertical guide rail attached to the frame. A dumbbell weight carrier is a assembled to the guide rail. The dumbbell weight carrier has a carriage that engages the guide rail. A dumbbell receptacle is attached to the carriage. The dumbbell receptacle can hold a plurality of dumbbell weights selected according to the overall weight desired by the exercising person. A weight handle is connected to the dumbbell weight carrier. The exercising person engages the weight handle and moves it against the weight resistance of the weight carrier and dumbbell weights loaded thereon.

Claims

1. A weight lifting exercise machine for use with dumbbells of the type having end weights connected by a dumbbell bar, comprising:

a frame having a first vertical support member;

said first support member including a vertical guide rail;

a dumbbell weight carrier including a carriage engaging the guide rail for up and down movement of the carrier on the guide rail;

a first dumbbell receptacle connected to the carriage to releasably hold one or more dumbbells;

a second dumbbell receptacle connected to the carriage in back to back relationship to the first dumbbell receptacle on the opposite side of the guide rail;

each dumbbell receptacle including a bracket having a plurality of hook-shaped openings for receipt of a dumbbell bar;

at least one dumbbell removably engaged by a dumbbell receptacle;

a weight handle for engagement by an exercising person;

said frame including an overhead beam connected to the first vertical support member and at least one pulley connected to the overhead beam;

a cable trained over the pulley and connected at a first end to the weight carrier and at a second end to the weight handle so that the weight handle can be moved during an exercise procedure against the weight of the weight carrier and dumbbells carried by the weight carrier.

2. The weight lifting exercise machine of claim 1 including:

a second vertical support member;

said overhead beam connected to the top of the vertical guide rail and the top of the second vertical support member and overhanging the second vertical support member;

said second end of the cable trained over the overhanging end of the overhead beam.

3. The weight lifting exercise machine of claim 2 wherein:

said cable is a main cable, and including a secondary cable and a secondary weight handle;

a secondary pulley connected to the second support member;

a pulley block connected intermediate the first and second ends of the main cable;

said secondary cable connected to the frame at a first end, trained over the pulley block and the secondary pulley, and connected to the secondary weight handle at a second end.

4. A weight lifting exercise machine for use with dumbbells of the type having end weights connected by a dumbbell bar, comprising:

a frame having a first upright support member;

at least one vertical guide rail connected to the frame;

a dumbbell weight carrier including a carriage engaging the guide rail for up and down movement;

a first dumbbell receptacle connected to the carriage to releasably hold one or more dumbbells;

a second dumbbell receptacle connected to the carriage in back to back relationship to the first dumbbell receptacle on the opposite side of the vertical guide rail;

each dumbbell receptacle including a bracket having a plurality of hook-shaped openings for receipt of a dumbbell bar;

at least one dumbbell removably engaged by each dumbbell receptacle;

said frame including a second upright support member located forward of the first one;

an overhead beam connected to the upper ends of the upright support members and overhanging the second upright support member;

a weight handle;

a cable and pulley system that includes at least one pulley assembled to the overhead beam, and a main cable connected at a first end to the carrier and at a second end to the weight handle and trained over the pulley assembled to the overhead beam, so that the weight handle is movable between a first position adjacent the overhanging end of the overhead beam toward a second position away from the overhanging end of the overhead beam, while lifting the carrier on the guide rail upon movement from the first position toward the second position.

5. The weight lifting exercise machine of claim 4 including:

a plurality of pulleys assembled to the overhead beam.

6. The weight lifting exercise machine of claim 5 wherein:

the dumbbell receptacle includes a dumbbell weight basket.

7. The weight lifting exercise machine of claim 5 including:

a horizontal bench support beam;

releasable pivot means engaged between the horizontal bench support beam and the second support member pivotally connecting the horizontal bench support beam to the second support member and extending forward from it whereby the bench support beam is alternatively pivotal to an out-of-the-way position against the second support member or removable away from it, and a bench seat and backrest connected to the bench support beam.

8. The weight lifting exercise machine of claim 5 including:

a secondary cable and a secondary weight handle;

a secondary pulley connected to the second support member toward the lower end thereof;

a pulley block connected intermediate the first and second ends of the main cable;

said secondary cable connected to the frame at a first end, trained over the pulley block and the secondary pulley, and connected to the secondary weight handle at a second end.

9. The weight lifting exercise machine of claim 4 wherein:

said carriage has slide pads of low friction material in confronting relationship to the guide rail to facilitate movement of the carriage on the guide rail.