Multi-purpose exercise apparatus

• US 7,048,677 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2002
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dale R. Henn, Mark Krull, Neal P. Barnes, Ross A. Mackert
• Original Assignee: Dale R. Henn, Mark Krull, Neal P. Barnes, Ross A. Mackert
• Inventors: Krull, Mark A., Barnes, Neal P., Henn, Dale R., Mackert, Ross A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly, Jerome W.
• Application Number:
  US10/292,386
• Publication Number:
  US 20030114281A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,292 Days
• Field of Search: 482/130, 482/138, 482/137, 482/136, 482/129, 482/133, 482/134, 482/95, 482/96, 482/102, 482/99, 482/100, 482/101, 482/142, D21/662, D21/673, D21/690
• US Class Current: 482/102
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0079 with a pulling cable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00 Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00072 by changing the length of a lever
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0087 of the piston-cylinder type using hydraulic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0083
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/05 Linearly-compressed elements A63B21/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/159 Using levers for transmitting forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4029 Benches specifically adapted for exercising for bench press exercises A63B21/078
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4033 Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• 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

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes a floor engaging base, a vertical stanchion, and at least one body support. Cables are interconnected between respective handles and respective pivot arms. At least one resistance device is interconnected between the pivot arms and the frame. The cables are routed about pulleys on the frame in a manner that facilitates different types of exercise motions. Adjustments to resistance may be made by repositioning at least one of the cables and the resistance device relative to the pivot arms.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a frame having a base designed to rest upon a floor surface, wherein the frame includes a left and a right rail, and each said rail is inclined relative to the floor surface;

a bench connected to the frame;

a left force transmitting member and a right force transmitting member, wherein each said force transmitting member is pivotally connected to the frame;

a left resistance mechanism and a right resistance mechanism, wherein each said resistance mechanism is interconnected between the frame and a respective said force transmitting member;

a left force receiving member and a right force receiving member;

a left pulley and a right pulley, wherein each said pulley is adjustably mounted on a respective said rail; and

a left flexible connector and a right flexible connector, wherein each said flexible connector is interconnected between a respective said force receiving member and a respective said force transmitting member, and each said flexible connector is routed about a respective said pulley.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first end of the bench is pivotally connected to the frame, and the bench is selectively pivotal between an operative position, wherein a back supporting portion of the bench extends parallel to the floor surface, and a storage position, wherein the back supporting portion of the bench extends perpendicular to the floor surface.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein the bench includes a leg portion that is pivotally connected to a distal end of the back supporting portion, and the leg portion is selectively pivotal between an operative position, extending perpendicular to the back supporting portion, and a storage position, extending parallel to the back supporting portion.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein the frame includes a central post that extends upward from the base, and the first end of the bench is pivotally connected to the post, and the back supporting portion of the bench extends parallel to the post when pivoted to its storage position.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, wherein each said resistance mechanism is pivotally connected to the post at a first distance above the bench, and each said force transmitting member is pivotally connected to the post at a relatively greater, second distance above the bench.

14. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein a leg curl assembly is mounted on the bench, and further comprising means for attaching each said flexible connector to a user-operated portion of the leg curl assembly.

15. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein a pull-down assembly is mounted on an upper end of the frame, and further comprising means for attaching each said flexible connector to a user operated portion of the pull-down assembly.

2. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a frame configured to rest upon a floor surface;

a bench connected to the frame;

a left force transmitting member and a right force transmitting member, wherein each said force transmitting member is pivotally connected to the frame;

a left resistance mechanism and a right resistance mechanism, wherein each said resistance mechanism is interconnected between the frame and a respective said force transmitting member;

a left force receiving member and a right force receiving member; and

a left flexible connector and a right flexible connector, wherein each said flexible connector is interconnected between a respective said force receiving member and a respective said force transmitting member, and each said flexible connector is routed about at least one pulley on the frame; and

a left adjusting means and a right adjusting means, each for adjusting, independent of either said resistance mechanism, how much force must be applied against a respective said force receiving member in order to pivot a respective said force transmitting member relative to the frame.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein each said adjusting means includes a plurality of holes in a respective said force transmitting member, and a respective connector having two spring-biased, pine that are arranged to alternatively align with respective said holes as the respective connector is moved along the respective force transmitting member.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein each said adjusting means includes a respective supplemental weight releasably scoured to a distal end of a respective force transmitting member.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein each said supplemental weight is movably mounted on a respective force transmitting member for selective movement along said respective force transmitting member.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein each said supplemental weight is selectively movable between an operative position on the distal end of a respective said force transmitting member, and a storage position on the frame.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the base includes a platform designed to support a person in a standing position, and the left flexible connector is routed about a left pulley mounted on the frame proximate a left side of the platform, and the right flexible connector is routed about a right pulley mounted on the frame proximate an opposite, right side of the platform.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the base includes a platform designed to support a person in a standing position, wherein the frame includes left and right rails that extend from the stanchion to respective sides of the platform, and additional left and right pulleys are mounted on respective rails, and each said flexible connector is routed about a respective one of the additional left and right pulleys.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the additional left and right pulleys is selectively movable along a respective one of the rails between a respective first position, lower than the first end of the bench and at a first horizontal distance from the first end of the bench, and a respective second position, higher than the first end of the bench and at a relatively smaller, second horizontal distance from the first end of the bench.

39. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein each said adjusting means includes a plurality of holes in a respective said force transmitting member, and a respective connector having a pin that aligns with respective said holes as the respective connector is moved along the respective force transmitting member.

16. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface;

at least one body support connected to the frame and having at least one surface configured to support a person during exercise activity;

a force transmitting member pivotally mounted on the frame for pivoting about a pivot axis;

a resistance mechanism interconnected between the force transmitting member and the frame;

at least one pulley rotatably mounted on the frame at an elevation beneath the pivot axis and above the at least one surface;

a force receiving member; and

a flexible connector interconnected between the force receiving member and the force transmitting member and routed about the at least one pulley, wherein at least one of the flexible connector and the resistance mechanism is selectively relocatable along the force transmitting member to adjust how much force is required to pivot the force transmitting member.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one body support includes a bench having an upwardly facing back supporting surface, and the at least one pulley includes a pulley mounted on the frame at an elevation above the back supporting surface.

18. The exercise apparatus of claim 17, wherein a second pulley is mounted on the frame at an elevation beneath the back supporting surface, and the flexible connector is routed about the second pulley.

19. The exercise apparatus of claim 17, wherein a second pulley is adjustably mounted on the frame for selective movement between a first position at an elevation beneath the back supporting surface, and a second position at an elevation above the back supporting surface, and the flexible connector is routed about the second pulley.

20. The exercise apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second pulley is mounted on a frame member that is inclined relative to the floor surface in a manner that increases a horizontally measured distance between the second pulley and the bench as the second pulley is adjusted downward toward the floor surface.

21. The exercise apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least one pulley is mounted on the frame proximate an upper end of the frame member.

22. The exercise apparatus of claim 19, wherein a distal end portion of the flexible connector is arranged to extend linearly from the force receiving member to the second pulley in response to force applied against the force receiving member.

23. The exercise apparatus of claim 17, wherein a first end of the bench is connected to the frame, and an opposite, second end of the bench is configured to rest on the floor surface.

24. The exercise apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first end of the bench is connected to the frame at a bench pivot axis, and the bench is selectively pivotal about the bench pivot axis to an upright, storage position.

25. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, wherein the force transmitting member has a plurality of holes disposed at discrete radial distances from the pivot axis, and a connector having two spring-biased pins is interconnected between the resistance mechanism and the force transmitting member, and the pins and the holes are arranged in such a manner that the pins alternatively align with respective said holes as the connector is moved along the force transmitting member.

26. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a supplemental weight releasably secured to a distal end of the force transmitting member to reduce how much force is required to pivot the force transmitting member.

27. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, wherein a distal end of the flexible connector is connected to a distal end of the force transmitting member.

28. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a second said force transmitting member pivotally mounted on the frame;

a second said resistance mechanism interconnected between the second said force transmitting member and the trains;

a second said force receiving member; and

a second said flexible connector interconnected between the second said force receiving member and the second said force transmitting member and routed about a respective said pulley, wherein at least one of the second said flexible connector and the second said resistance mechanism is selectively relocatable along the second said force transmitting member to adjust how much force is required to pivot the second said force transmitting member.

29. The exercise apparatus of claim 28, wherein the frame includes a, vertical post, and the second said force transmitting member is pivotally connected to the vertical post, and extends in a first radial direction away from the vertical post, and the other said force transmitting member is pivotally connected to the vertical post, and extends in an opposite, second, radial direction away from the vertical post.

30. The exercise apparatus of claim 29, wherein each said flexible connector is routed from a distal end of a respective said force transmitting member, about a respective said pulley mounted on the vertical post, and toward a respective position near the floor surface and beneath a respective said force transmitting member, thereby defining an x-shaped arrangement.

31. An exercise apparatus, comprising;

a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface;

a user support connected to the frame;

a gas spring having a first end pivotally connected to the frame;

a first link pivotally interconnected between the frame and an opposite, second end of the gas spring;

a force transmitting member pivotally connected to the frame for pivoting about a pivot axis;

a second link pivotally interconnected between the force transmitting member and the first link;

a force receiving member; and

a flexible connector interconnected between the force receiving member and the force transmitting member.

32. The exercise apparatus of claim 31, wherein a first end of the first link is pivotally connected to the frame, and an opposite, second end of the first link is pivotally connected to the second link.

33. The exercise apparatus of claim 32, wherein a lower end of the second link is pivotally connected to the second end of the first link, and an opposite, upper end of the second link is pivotally connected to the force transmitting member.

34. The exercise apparatus of claim 33, wherein the second end of the gas spring is pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the first link at a first elevation above the floor surface, and the first end of the gas spring is pivotally connected to the frame at a relatively lower, second elevation above the floor surface.

35. The exercise apparatus of claim 31, wherein a distal end of the flexible connector is connected to a distal end of the force transmitting member.

36. The exercise apparatus of claim 31, wherein an intermediate portion of the flexible connector is routed about at least one pulley on the frame.

37. The exercise apparatus of claim 36, wherein the frame includes a post, and the user support is a bench having an end connected to the post.

38. The exercise apparatus of claim 37, wherein a first said pulley is mounted on the frame at an elevation above the end of the bench, and a second said pulley is mounted on the frame at an elevation beneath the end of the bench.