Composite motion exercise machine with movable linkage system

• US 6,916,278 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2002
• Issued: 07/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Metal Resources
• Original Assignee: Metal Resources
• Inventors: Webber, Randall T.
• Primary Examiner(s): DONNELLY, JEROME W
• Application Number:
  US10/195,665
• Publication Number:
  US 20040009855A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 482/72, 482/71, 482/95, 482/96, 482/112, 482/51, 482/140, 482/130, 482/90
• US Class Current: 482/96
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0615 pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0252 supine
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/30 Maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances

Abstract

A composite motion exercise machine has a main frame, a user support, an exercise arm, a movable wedge, a connecting device, and a load. The user support and exercise arm are pivotally linked directly or indirectly to the main frame, and the movable wedge has first and second travel members in moving engagement with rails on the main frame and user support, respectively. The connecting device links the movable wedge to the exercise arm, such that movement of the exercise arm moves the wedge along the rails to lift the user support in an arcuate path away from the main frame.

Claims

1. A composite motion exercise machine, comprising:

a main frame;

a user support pivotally linked to the main frame for rotation about a first pivot axis;

an exercise arm pivotally linked to the main frame;

at least one first rail on the main frame;

at least one second rail on the user support facing the first rail; and

a movable wedge assembly having a first travel member in traveling engagement with the first rail and a second travel member in traveling engagement with the second rail; and

a connection device linking the movable wedge assembly to the exercise arm;

whereby movement of the exercise arm moves the wedge assembly along the rails to rotate the user support about the first pivot axis away from the main frame.

2. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wedge assembly comprises at least one wedge-shaped plate having a front end, a rear end, an upper end, and a lower end, the first travel member being secured to the upper end of the plate and the second travel member being secured to the lower end of the plate, and the plate dimensions being smaller adjacent the front end than the rear end of the plate.

3. The machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein said user support has two base struts each having a first end pivotally linked directly or indirectly to said main frame, each base strut having a downwardly facing second rail, and the wedge assembly comprises at least two spaced wedge plates and at least one upper rod and one lower rod connecting said wedge plates, the first traveling member being secured to said lower rod, and two second travel members being secured to opposite ends of said upper rod for traveling engagement with said respective second rails.

4. The machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein said main frame has two spaced, parallel base struts and said user support has two lower struts each having a first end pivotally linked directly or indirectly to said main frame and facing a respective one of said base struts, each base strut having an upwardly facing first rail and each lower strut having a downwardly facing second rail facing said first rail, and the wedge assembly comprises at least two spaced wedge plates, each wedge plate extending transversely between a respective base strut and lower strut, and at least one upper rod and one lower rod connecting said wedge plates, a pair of first traveling members being secured to opposite ends of said lower rod for traveling engagement with said respective first rails, and a pair of second travel members being secured to opposite ends of said upper rod for traveling engagement with said respective second rails.

5. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second travel members each comprise at least one wheel.

6. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the travel members comprises a linear bearing.

7. The machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the other travel member comprises at least one wheel.

8. The machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connection device has a first end connected to the front end of said plate.

9. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exercise arm comprises a leg press member.

10. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exercise arm comprises an upper body exercise member.

11. The machine as claimed in claim 1, including an exercise resistance for providing an additional, adjustable exercise load.

12. The machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the user support has a weight peg for receiving weight plates comprising said exercise resistance.

13. The machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the exercise resistance comprises a weight stack linked to said user support.

14. The machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the exercise resistance is linked to said wedge assembly.

15. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connection device comprises a cable or belt linking said wedge assembly to said exercise arm.

16. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connection device comprises a link arm having a first end pivoted to said wedge assembly and a second end pivoted to said exercise arm.

17. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connection device comprises a cable and pulley linkage extending from said wedge assembly to said exercise arm and terminating at said user support.

18. The machine as claimed in claim 17, wherein said cable and pulley linkage comprises a pulley on said exercise arm, and a cable or belt extending from said wedge assembly around said pulley and terminated at said user support.

19. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connection device comprises a first pulley on said exercise arm, a second pulley on said user support, and a cable or belt extending from said wedge assembly around said first and second pulleys and terminating at said exercise arm.

20. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connection device comprises a pulley on said main frame and a cable or belt extending from said wedge assembly around said pulley and terminating at said exercise arm.

21. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said exercise arm and said user support are both pivoted to said main frame for rotation about the same pivot axis.

22. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said exercise arm and said user support are pivoted to said main frame at spaced positions for rotation about spaced, parallel pivot axes.

23. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said exercise arm is pivoted to said main frame and said user support is pivotally secured to said exercise arm.

24. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user support is pivoted to said main frame and said exercise arm is pivoted to said user support.

25. An exercise machine, comprising:

a main frame;

a user support pivotally mounted for movement relative to the main frame;

an exercise arm pivotally mounted for movement relative to the main frame;

at least one first slide rail mounted on said main frame;

at least one second slide rail mounted on said user support facing in the direction of said main frame;

a moving wedge assembly between the first and second slide rails, the assembly comprising at least one wedge plate extending generally between the first and second slide rails and having an upper portion, a lower portion, a forward end and a rear end, the forward end being of smaller dimensions than the rear end, a first traveling member mounted on the lower portion of the wedge plate and engaging the first slide rail for movement along the rail, and a second traveling member mounted on the upper portion of the wedge plate and engaging the second slide rail for movement along the second slide rail; and

a connection means linking the wedge plate to the exercise arm;

whereby movement of the exercise arm causes the wedge plate to move and the traveling members to travel along the respective rails so as to lift the user support.