Versatile exercise machine

• US 7,094,185 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2002
• Issued: 08/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Darrell Greenland
• Original Assignee: Darrell Greenland
• Inventors: Greenland, Darrell
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mathew, Fenn C.
• Application Number:
  US10/302,365
• Publication Number:
  US 20030134722A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,369 Days
• Field of Search: 482/94, 482 98-101, 482/104, 482135-137
• US Class Current: 482/100
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/06 User-manipulated weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/078 Devices for bench press exercises , e.g. supports, guiding means

Abstract

A self-spotting system for free weights enables the constructive use of such free weights without the need for a spotter. Using a free weight holder sliding along a rail, an adjacent free weight support provides and determines the lowermost travel of the associated free weight. In alternative embodiments, a parallelogram design for the free weight holder is set forth as well as a handle system which may optionally incorporate free weights and allow the use of the self-spotting system for single weights in conjunction with weights coupled to the handle system by a line or cable. Additionally, weight bar restraining and locking systems are set forth which provide secure means by which weightlifting bars can be secured into place, lowering the risk of slippage, dropping and the associated injury and damage that may occur when weights slip or fall.

Claims

1. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with free weights comprising:

a weightlifting frame having a floor support for supporting said weightlifting frame upon a floor and having first and second oppositely opposed side upstanding posts coupled together by said floor support;

first and second rails coupled to said floor support at first ends thereof and coupled to said upstanding posts, said first and second rails generally parallel and adjacent to said first and second upstanding posts, respectively;

first and second free weight holders including respective first and second riding carriages respectively and slidably coupled to said first and second rails, and being independently moveable with respect to each other when coupled to free weights said riding carriages coupling free weights to said weightlifting frame; and

first and second carriage supports respectively and slidably coupled to said first and second upstanding posts, said first and second carriage supports selectably attachable to said respective first and second upstanding posts, said first and second carriage supports respectively supporting said first and second riding carriages and limiting the downward travel of said first and second riding carriages so that weight of said first and second riding carriages including weight of any free weights coupled to said first and second riding carriages may rest upon and be supported by said first and second carriage supports;

said first and second riding carriages respectively slidably engaging and pivotably rotatable about said first and second rails;

first and second free weight holding portions for holding free weights; and

first and second reciprocating arm systems respectively coupling said first and second sliding carriages with said first and second free weight holding portions.

2. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with free weights as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

said free weights being coupled to the exercise machine in a manner enabling a greater degree of freedom than would be enjoyed by said free weights were they subject to a more rigid coupling with the exercise machine.

3. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with free weights as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

first and second counterweights respectively coupled to said first and second riding carriages, said first and second counterweights at least partially offsetting the weight of said first and second riding carriages, respectively, said first and second counterweights enabling easier adjustment respectively of said first and second riding carriages as said first and second riding carriages are slidably adjusted with respect to said first and second rails.

4. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with free weights as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

said first and second free weight holding portions respectively and selectably coupleable to said first and second reciprocating arm systems.

5. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with free weights as set forth in claim 1, said first and second reciprocating arm systems respectively further comprising:

first and second free weight post carriages respectively coupled to said first and second riding carriages; and

first and second free weight posts respectively slidably engaging said first and second free weight post carriages.

6. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with free weights as set forth in claim 5, further comprising:

said first and second free weight post carriages respectively coupled to said first and second riding carriages at an angle so as to urge said respective first and second free weight posts to travel through said first and second free weight post carriages.

7. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with free weights as set forth in claim 6, further comprising:

said first and second free weight post carriages respectively coupled to said first and second riding carriages at about 0°

–

8°

angle so as to urge said respective first and second free weight posts to travel through said first and second free weight post carriages so that said respective first and second free weight holding portions are urged toward said first and second free weight post carriages.

8. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with free weights as set forth in claim 5, further comprising:

said first and second free weight posts respectively freely rotatable within said first and second free weight post carriages.

9. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with free weights as set forth in claim 5, further comprising:

a first lock collar selectable and lockably coupled to said first free weight post on a first rear side of said first free weight post carriage, said first lock collar restricting forward motion of said first free weight post.

10. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with free weights as set forth in claim 5, further comprising:

second lock collar selectable and lockably coupled to said first free weight post on a second front side of said first free weight post carriage, said second lock collar restricting rearward motion of said first free weight post.

11. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with free weights as set forth in claim 5, further comprising:

an alignment post coupled to said first free weight post carriage at a forward position thereof, said alignment post being generally adjacent said first free weight post;

an open fitting coupled to said first free weight holding portion and adapted to receive said alignment post; and

said alignment post tending to maintain said open fitting in place when said open fitting engages said alignment post.

12. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with free comprising:

a weightlifting frame having a floor support for supporting said weightlifting frame upon a floor and first and second oppositely opposed side upstanding posts coupled together by said floor support and;

first and second rails coupled to said floor support at first ends thereof and coupled to said top upstanding posts, said first and second rails generally parallel and adjacent to said first and second upstanding posts, respectively;

first and second free weight holders including respective first and second riding carriages respectively and being independently moveable with respect to each other and being slidably coupled to said first and second rails, said riding carriages coupling free weights to said weightlifting frame, said first and second riding carriages respectively slidably engaging and pivotably rotatable about said first and second rails;

first and second counterweights respectively coupled to said first and second riding carriages, said first and second counterweights at least partially offsetting the weight of said first and second riding carriages, respectively, said first and second counterweights enabling easier adjustment respectively of said first and second riding carriages as said first and second riding carriages are slidably adjusted with respect to said first and second rails;

first and second reciprocating arm systems respectively coupling said first and second sliding carriages with said first and second free weight holding portions;

first and second free weight holding portions respectively and selectably coupleable to said first and second reciprocating arm systems, said first and second free weight holding portions for holding free weights, said free weights thereby being coupled to the exercise machine in a manner enabling a greater degree of freedom than would be enjoyed by said free weights were they subject to a more rigid coupling with the exercise machine;

first and second carriage supports respectively and slidably coupled to said first and second upstanding posts, said first and second carriage supports selectably attachable to said respective first and second upstanding posts, said first and second carriage supports respectively supporting said first and second riding carriages and limiting the downward travel of said first and second riding carriages so that weight of said first and second riding carriages including weight of any free weights coupled to said first and second riding carriages may rest upon and be supported by said first and second carriage supports;

said first and second carriage supports respectively spotting free weights held by said first and second free weight holders to enable a weightlifter to disengage said free weights in a safe and controlled manner, said first and second reciprocating arm systems respectively further comprising;

first and second free weight post carriages respectively coupled to said first and second riding carriages;

first and second free weight posts respectively slidably engaging said first and second free weight post carriages, said first and second reciprocating arm systems respectively further comprising;

said first and second free weight posts respectively freely rotatable within said first and second free weight post carriages;

an alignment post coupled to said first free weight post carriage at a forward position thereof, said alignment post being generally adjacent said first free weight post;

an open fitting coupled to said first free weight holding portion and adapted to receive said alignment post; and

said alignment post tending to maintain said open fitting in place when said open fitting engages said alignment post; and

a first lock collar selectable and lockably coupled to said first free weight post on a first rear side of said first free weight post carriage, said first lock collar restricting forward motion of said first free weight post; and

a second lock collar selectable and lockably coupled to said first free weight post on second front side of said first free weight post carriage, said second lock collar restricting rearward motion of said first free weight post.

13. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with fixed weights slidably attached thereto comprising:

a weightlifting frame having a floor support for supporting said weightlifting frame upon a floor and first and second oppositely opposed side upstanding posts coupled together by said floor support;

first and second rails coupled to said floor support at first ends thereof, said first and second rails generally parallel and adjacent to said first and second upstanding posts, respectively;

first and second weight handles including respective first and second riding carriages respectively and slidably coupled to said first and second rails, said riding carriages coupled to said fixed weights; and

first and second carriage supports respectively and being independently moveable with respect to each other and being slidably coupled to said first and second upstanding posts, said first and second carriage supports selectably attachable to said respective first and second upstanding posts, said first and second carriage supports respectively supporting said first and second riding carriages and limiting the downward travel of said first and second riding carriages so that weight of said first and second riding carriages including weight of any fixed weights coupled to said first and second riding carriages may rest upon and be supported by said first and second carriage supports, said first and second weight handles each further comprising;

first and second free weight post carriages;

first and second free weight posts respectively slidably engaging said first and second free weight post carriages; and

a handle for manual engagement by a weightlifter, said handle pivotably engaging said first and second free weight posts.

14. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with free weights, comprising:

a weightlifting frame having a floor support for supporting said weightlifting frame upon a floor and having first and second oppositely opposed side upstanding posts coupled together by said floor support;

first and second rails coupled to said floor support at first ends thereof and coupled to said upstanding posts, said first and second rails generally parallel and adjacent to said first and second upstanding posts, respectively;

first and second free weight holders including respective first and second riding carriages respectively and slidably coupled to said first and second rails, said riding carriages coupling free weights to said weightlifting frame; and

first and second carriage supports respectively and slidably coupled to said first and second upstanding posts, said first and second carriage supports selectably attachable to said respective first and second upstanding posts, said first and second carriage supports respectively supporting said first and second riding carriages and limiting the downward travel of said first and second riding carriages so that weight of said first and second riding carriages including weight of any free weights coupled to said first and second riding carriages may rest upon and be supported by said first and second carriage supports, said first and second free weight holders further comprising said first and second riding carriages respectively slidably engaging and pivotably rotatable about said first and second rails;

first and second free weight holding portions for holding free weights; and

first and second reciprocating arm systems respectively coupling said first and second sliding carriages with said first and second free weight holding portions, said first and second reciprocating arm system respectively further comprising;

first and second free weight post carriages respectively coupled to said first and second riding carriages; and

first and second free weight posts respectively slidably engaging said first and second free weight post carriages and further comprising;

a first lock collar selectable and lockably coupled to said first free weight post on a first rear side of said first free weight post carriage, said first lock collar restricting forward motion of said first free weight post.

15. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with free weights, comprising:

a weightlifting frame having a floor support for supporting said weightlifting frame upon a floor and having first and second oppositely opposed side upstanding posts coupled together by said floor support;

first and second rails coupled to said floor support at first ends thereof and coupled to said upstanding posts, said first and second rails generally parallel and adjacent to said first and second upstanding posts, respectively;

first and second free weight holders including respective first and second riding carriages respectively and slidably coupled to said first and second rails, said riding carriages coupling free weights to said weightlifting frame; and

first and second carriage supports respectively and slidably coupled to said first and second upstanding posts, said first and second carriage supports selectably attachable to said respective first and second upstanding posts, said first and second carriage supports respectively supporting said first and second riding carriages and limiting the downward travel of said first and second riding carriages so that weight of said first and second riding carriages including weight of any free weights coupled to said first and second riding carriages may rest upon and be supported by said first and second carriage supports, said first and second free weight holders further comprising said first and second riding carriages respectively slidably engaging and pivotably rotatable about said first and second rails;

first and second free weight holding portions for holding free weights; and

first and second reciprocating arm systems respectively coupling said first and second sliding carriages with said first and second free weight holding portions, said first and second reciprocating arm system respectively further comprising;

first and second free weight post carriages respectively coupled to said first and second riding carriages; and

first and second free weight posts respectively slidably engaging said first and second free weight post carriages and further comprising;

an alignment post coupled to said first free weight post carriage at a forward position thereof, said alignment post being generally adjacent said first free weight post;

an open fitting coupled to said first free weight holding portion and adapted to receive said alignment post; and

said alignment post tending to maintain said open fitting in place when said open fitting engages said alignment post.

16. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with free weights, comprising:

weightlifting frame having a floor support for supporting said weightlifting frame upon a floor and first and second oppositely opposed side upstanding posts coupled together by said floor support and;

first and second rails coupled to said floor support at first ends thereof and coupled to said top upstanding posts, said first and second rails generally parallel and adjacent to said first and second upstanding posts, respectively;

first and second free weight holders including respective first and second riding carriages respectively and being independently moveable with respect to each other and being slidably coupled to said first and second rails, said riding carriages coupling free weights to said weightlifting frame, said first and second riding carriages respectively slidably engaging and pivotably rotatable about said first and second rails;

first and second counterweights respectively coupled to said first and second riding carriages, said first and second counterweights at least partially offsetting the weight of said first and second riding carriages, respectively, said first and second counterweights enabling easier adjustment respectively of said first and second riding carriages as said first and second riding carriages are slidably adjusted with respect to said first and second rails;

first and second reciprocating arm systems respectively coupling said first and second sliding carriages with said first and second free weight holding portions;

first and second free weight holding portions respectively and selectably coupleable to said first and second reciprocating arm systems, said first and second free weight holding portions for holding free weights, said free weights thereby being coupled to the exercise machine in a manner enabling a greater degree of freedom than would be enjoyed by said free weights were they subject to a more rigid coupling with the exercise machine;

first and second carriage supports respectively and slidably coupled to said first and second upstanding posts, said first and second carriage supports selectably attachable to said respective first and second upstanding posts, said first and second carriage supports respectively supporting said first and second riding carriages and limiting the downward travel of said first and second riding carriages so that weight of said first and second riding carriages including weight of any free weights coupled to said first and second riding carriages may rest upon and be supported by said first and second carriage supports;

said first and second carriage supports respectively spotting free weights held by said first and second free weight holders to enable a weightlifter to disengage said free weights in a safe and controlled manner, said first and second reciprocating arm systems respectively further comprising;

first and second free weight post carriages respectively coupled to said first and second riding carriages;

first and second free weight posts respectively slidably engaging said first and second free weight post carriages, said first and second reciprocating arm systems respectively further comprising;

said first and second free weight posts respectively freely rotatable within said first and second free weight post carriages;

an alignment post coupled to said first free weight post carriage at a forward position thereof, said alignment post being generally adjacent said first free weight post;

an open fitting coupled to said first free weight holding portion and adapted to receive said alignment post; and

said alignment post tending to maintain said open fitting in place when said open fitting engages said alignment post; and

a first lock collar selectable and lockably coupled to said first free weight post on a first rear side of said first free weight post carriage, said first lock collar restricting forward motion of said first free weight post; and

a second lock collar selectable and lockably coupled to said first free weight post on a second front side of said first free weight post carriage, said second lock collar restricting rearward motion of said first free weight post.

17. An exercise machine for enabling exercise with fixed weights slidably attached thereto, comprising:

a weightlifting frame having a floor support for supporting said weightlifting frame upon a floor and first and second oppositely opposed side upstanding posts coupled together by said floor support;

first and second rails coupled to said floor support at first ends thereof, said first and second rails generally parallel and adjacent to said first and second upstanding posts, respectively;

first and second weight handles including respective first and second riding carriages respectively and slidably coupled to said first and second rails, said riding carriages coupled to said fixed weights; and

first and second carriage supports respectively and being independently moveable with respect to each other and being slidably coupled to said first and second upstanding posts, said first and second carriage supports selectably attachable to said respective first and second upstanding posts, said first and second carriage supports respectively supporting said first and second riding carriages and limiting the downward travel of said first and second riding carriages so that weight of said first and second riding carriages including weight of any fixed weights coupled to said first and second riding carriages may rest upon and be supported by said first and second carriage supports, said first and second weight handles each further comprising;

first and second free weight post carriages;

first and second free weight posts respectively slidably engaging said first and second free weight post carriages; and

a handle for manual engagement by a weightlifter, said handle pivotably engaging said first and second free weight posts.