Exercise equipment with multi-positioning handles

• US 7,108,641 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2001
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Pertegaz-Esteban, Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly, Jerome W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HWANG, VICTOR KENNY
• Application Number:
  US09/848,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20020035017A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,966 Days
• Field of Search: 482/24, 482/44, 482/45, 482/62, 482 97-100, 482/106, 482/108, 482/109, 482/136, 482/141, 482/148, 482/905, 482/908, 482/46, 482/49, 482/50, 482/135, 482/138, 482/72, 482/137, 482/139, 164/08, 164/09, 161/101, 169/00, 16D/IG.12, D21/662, D21/694, D21673-677, 601/33, 403/57, 403/58
• US Class Current: 482/139
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4017 to the upper limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03533 With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1263 Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements

Abstract

A handle for an exercise device, the handle attached to an actuating arm of the exercise device and including a connection structure that allows the handle to rotate with respect to the arm, as well as pivot in at least two directions orthogonal to the rotation axis.

Claims

1. An exercise machine having a load wherein the primary movement is a pushing motion to actuate the load comprising:

at least one arm assembly operably attached to said load;

a handle base member including a first leg and a second leg extending from a base portion, said base portion rotatably attached to said arm assembly between said first leg and said second leg, and rotating with respect to said arm assembly about a first axis of rotation at a midpoint of said base portion;

a grasping member rotatably connected with said first leg and said second leg, said grasping member rotating with respect to said handle base member about a second axis of rotation; and

wherein said handle base member further comprises an asymmetrical shape about said first axis of rotation such that when not in use said handle base member rotates to an upright position.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein said first axis of rotation is not orthogonal to said second axis of rotation.

3. An exercise machine handle assembly operably attached to an arm assembly of an exercise machine, said handle assembly comprising:

a handle member having a base rotatably connected to said arm assembly about a first axis of rotation, the first axis of rotation at a midpoint of said base; and

said base having a first side to one side of said midpoint and a second side to another side of said midpoint, said first side being heavier than said second side such that when said exercise machine is not in use, said handle member rotates to an upright position in which said first side is below said second side.

4. An exercise device having a load comprising:

at least one arm assembly operably attached to said load;

a handle assembly comprising;

a generally U-shaped bracket defining a base member and supporting a gripping portion;

a first axle rotatably connected with the base member to rotate about a fixed axis relative to the base member and extending from the base member, said U-shaped bracket pivoting in at least one orthogonal direction with respect to said first axle;

a second axle pivotally connected with the first axle, the second axle operably attached to said arm assembly; and

wherein the first axle and the second axle may be longitudinally aligned during use.

5. The exercise device of claim 4 further comprising:

a third axle rotatably connected with the at least one arm assembly; and

the third axle is operably connected with the second axle.

6. The exercise device of claim 5 further comprising a sleeve having at least one bearing therein, said sleeve being attached to said third axle and said arm assembly.

7. The exercise device of claim 4 wherein:

the first axle is pivotally connected with the second axle at a ball-type pivot joint.

8. The exercise device of claim 4 wherein:

the U-shaped bracket defines a first leg and a second leg extending generally transverse from the base member;

the gripping portion is rotatably connected between the first leg and the second leg.

9. The exercise device of claim 4 wherein:

said handle assembly pivoting in at least one orthogonal direction with respect to said first axle.

10. The exercise device of claim 4 wherein the first axle pivots in at least two orthogonal directions with respect to the second axle.

11. The exercise device of claim 4 wherein the first axle extends perpendicularly from the base member.

12. An exercise device having a load comprising:

at least one arm assembly operably attached to said load;

a handle assembly comprising;

a generally U-shaped bracket defining a base member and supporting a gripping portion;

a first axle rotatably connected with the base member and extending angularly from the base member;

a second axle pivotally connected with the first axle, the second axle operably attached to said arm assembly; and

a third axle rotatably connected with the at least one arm assembly and operably connected with the second axle;

a sleeve having at least one bearing therein, the sleeve being attached to the third axle and the arm assembly; and

wherein the first axle and the second axle may be longitudinally aligned during use.