Dual-direction pulley system
First Claim
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1. A dual-direction pulley system comprising:
- a first main pulley having an actuator operably attached thereto;
a second main pulley;
a third main pulley;
a first cable wrapped at least part of the way around said first main pulley and fixed to said first main pulley and wrapped at least part of the way around said second main pulley and affixed thereto;
a second cable wrapped at least part of the way around said first main pulley opposite said first cable and fixed to said first main pulley and wrapped at least part of the way around said third main pulley and affixed thereto;
a tensioner cable, one end of which is wrapped at least partially around said second main pulley opposite of said first cable, and the other end of which is wrapped at least partially around said third main pulley opposite of said second cable; and
a pulley arm reactive to the movement of either of said second and third main pulleys, said pulley arm attached to a load mechanism, wherein movement of said actuator causes movement of said pulley arm to engage said load mechanism.
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Abstract
A dual-direction pulley system is disclosed in conjunction with an exercise machine. The pulley system provides resistance to a pivotally mounted actuator lever when the lever is rotated clockwise and when the lever is rotated counterclockwise. In a preferred embodiment the dual-direction pulley system provides resistance for a seated leg curl/extension exercise machine such that a user can perform leg curls and leg extensions from a single seated position.
240 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A dual-direction pulley system comprising:
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a first main pulley having an actuator operably attached thereto; a second main pulley; a third main pulley; a first cable wrapped at least part of the way around said first main pulley and fixed to said first main pulley and wrapped at least part of the way around said second main pulley and affixed thereto; a second cable wrapped at least part of the way around said first main pulley opposite said first cable and fixed to said first main pulley and wrapped at least part of the way around said third main pulley and affixed thereto; a tensioner cable, one end of which is wrapped at least partially around said second main pulley opposite of said first cable, and the other end of which is wrapped at least partially around said third main pulley opposite of said second cable; and a pulley arm reactive to the movement of either of said second and third main pulleys, said pulley arm attached to a load mechanism, wherein movement of said actuator causes movement of said pulley arm to engage said load mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An exercise apparatus for providing resistance to movement in opposite directions comprising:
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a frame; an actuating lever pivotally mounted to said frame, said actuating lever being pivotal in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction; a pulley system for providing resistance to rotation of said actuating lever when said actuating lever is moved in said clockwise direction and said counterclockwise direction; said pulley system includes a first main pulley, a second main pulley, and a third main pulley; said actuating lever is attached to said first main pulley such that rotation of said actuating lever causes rotation of said first main pulley; a first cable connects said first main pulley with said second main pulley; a second cable connects said first main pulley with said third main pulley; and a tensioning cable connects said second and third main pulleys such that rotation of said first main pulley causes corresponding rotation of said second and third main pulleys substantially without creating slack in said first and second cables. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An exercise apparatus for performing seated leg curls and seated leg extensions, the apparatus comprising:
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a frame; a pulley system mounted to said frame, said pulley system including a first main pulley, a second main pulley, and a third main pulley; a first cable wrapped at least part of the way around said first main pulley and fixed to said first main pulley and wrapped at least part of the way around said second main pulley and affixed thereto; a second cable wrapped at least part of the way around said first main pulley opposite said first cable and fixed to said first main pulley and wrapped at least part of the way around said third main pulley and affixed thereto; a tensioner cable, one end of which is wrapped at least partially around said second main pulley opposite of said first cable, and the other end of which is wrapped at least partially around said third main pulley opposite of said second cable such that rotation of said first main pulley causes corresponding rotation in said second and third main pulleys; a pulley arm reactive to the rotation of either of said second and third main pulleys, said pulley arm attached to a load mechanism; an actuator lever attached to said first main pulley such that movement of said actuator lever causes rotation of said first main pulley, which causes corresponding rotation in said second and third main pulleys, which rotation of said second and third main pulleys causes said pulley arm to engage said load mechanism, said actuator lever being selectively adjustable in its angular orientation relative to said first main pulley; and a seat mounted on said frame such that a user seated in said seat can perform leg extension exercises by rotating said actuating lever in a first direction and leg curl exercises by rotating said actuating lever in a second direction opposite to said first direction; and a first pad and a second pad mounted on said actuating lever, said second pad eccentrically rotatably mounted to said lever such that it is adapted to hold a leg of a user in place between said first pad and said second pad during leg curl exercises and such that it is adjustable to accommodate different sized legs.
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Specification