Reformer exercise apparatus anchor bar and carriage stop/assembly

• US 7,288,053 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2004
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Balanced Body Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Balanced Body Incorporated
• Inventors: Endelman, Ken, Barnard, Edward D.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/920,741
• Publication Number:
  US 20050113227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 482/148, 482/121, 482/142
• US Class Current: 482/142
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00065 by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/04 attached to static foundation , e.g. a user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0428 the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0007 by alternatively exercising arms or legs, e.g. with a single set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/001 by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0087 with a seat or torso support moving during the exercise, e.g. reformers A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0252 supine
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0257 prone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/035 for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously

Abstract

A reformer exercise apparatus has a head end and a foot end and a pair of spaced apart parallel track members, a movable carriage mounted on the track members for movement between the head and foot end. One or more springs are connected between the carriage and an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly at the foot end. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably positions the carriage, the anchor bar and the elastic members on the tracks to accommodate a wide range of user heights. Each end of the anchor bar is disposed in an elongated slot formed in each track member. The elongated slot has spaced gear teeth shaped openings defining spaced anchor bar stop or lock portions. The anchor bar can be moved between lock portions only when rotated to an unlocked position wherein the bar, coupled to the carriage, can slide along the track within the slot. In addition, the assembly maintains the carriage and anchor bar a predetermined distance apart when the anchor bar is in the unlocked position and maintains a minimum distance between the anchor bar and the carriage when the anchor bar is in the locked position.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members between the ends;

a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members;

at least one elongated elastic member extending between the carriage and an anchor bar supported in elongated slots in the track members near the foot end of the frame; and

an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably anchoring the at least one elastic member to the anchor bar in a plurality of predetermined positions, wherein the anchor bar is positionable at selectable predetermined positions along the elongated slots in the track members while maintaining a predetermined minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar.

2. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members between the ends;

a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members;

at least one elongated elastic member extending between the carriage and an anchor bar supported in elongated slots in the track members near the foot end of the frame; and

an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably anchoring the at least one elastic member to the anchor bar in a plurality of predetermined positions, wherein the anchor bar is positionable at selectable predetermined positions along the elongated slots in the track members while maintaining a predetermined minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar and wherein the anchor bar has a generally upright oriented spacer plate having a center end portion fastened to the anchor bar and a curved end portion abutting the carriage.

3. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members between the ends;

a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members;

at least one elongated elastic member extending between the carriage and an anchor bar supported in elongated slots in the track members near the foot end of the frame; and

an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably anchoring the at least one elastic member to the anchor bar in a plurality of predetermined positions, wherein the anchor bar is positionable at selectable predetermined positions along the elongated slots in the track members while maintaining a predetermined minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar and wherein the anchor bar has opposite ends and each end has a cylindrical end cap fastened thereto having an axially extending tenon fastened to the anchor bar end, and wherein each end cap is received in one of the elongated slots in one of the track members.

4. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members between the ends;

a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members;

at least one elongated elastic member extending between the carriage and an anchor bar supported in elongated slots in the track members near the foot end of the frame; and

an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably anchoring the at least one elastic member to the anchor bar in a plurality of predetermined positions, wherein the anchor bar is positionable at selectable predetermined positions along the elongated slots in the track members while maintaining a predetermined minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar;

wherein the anchor bar has opposite ends and each end has a cylindrical end cap fastened thereto having an axially extending tenon fastened to the anchor bar end, and wherein each end cap is received in one of the elongated slots in one of the track members wherein the spacer plate includes a latch member on the curved end portion selectively engagable with the carriage to retain the anchor bar at the minimum distance to the carriage when the anchor bar is rotated to align the tenons in the elongated slots in the ends of the track members so that the anchor bar may be selectively moved between predetermined positions in the elongated slots in the parallel tracks.

5. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members between the ends;

a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members;

at least one elongated elastic member extending between the carriage and an anchor bar supported in elongated slots in the track members near the foot end of the frame; and

an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably anchoring the at least one elastic member to the anchor bar in a plurality of predetermined positions, wherein the anchor bar is positionable at selectable predetermined positions along the elongated slots in the track members while maintaining a predetermined minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar and wherein the anchor bar has a generally upright oriented spacer plate having a center end portion fastened to the anchor bar and a curved end portion abutting the carriage wherein each slot in the track members has spaced anchor bar stop portions defining spaced anchor locked positions.

6. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members between the ends;

a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members;

at least one elongated elastic member extending between the carriage and an anchor bar supported in elongated slots in the track members near the foot end of the frame and wherein each slot in the track members has spaced anchor bar stop portions defining spaced anchor locked positions; and

an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably anchoring the at least one elastic member to the anchor bar in a plurality of predetermined positions, wherein the anchor bar is selectively movable in the elongated slots between the anchor locked positions in the track members while maintaining a predetermined minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar and wherein the anchor bar has a generally upright oriented spacer plate having a center end portion fastened to the anchor bar and a curved end portion abutting the carriage wherein the anchor bar is operable to move between locked positions only when the anchor bar is rotated to an unlocked position.

7. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members between the ends;

a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members;

at least one elongated elastic member extending between the carriage and an anchor bar supported in elongated slots in the track members near the foot end of the frame; and

an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably anchoring the at least one elastic member to the anchor bar in a plurality of predetermined positions, wherein the anchor bar is positionable at selectable predetermined positions along the elongated slots in the track members while maintaining a predetermined minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar, the anchor bar and carriage stop assembly comprising;

the anchor bar having opposite ends, each end having a cylindrical end cap fastened thereto via an axially extending tenon joining the anchor bar end, wherein each end cap is received in one of the elongated slots in one of the track members, and wherein the tenons each have parallel sides, the sides of each tenon being parallel to the slot in each track member only when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position; and

a generally upright oriented spacer plate having a center end portion fastened to the anchor bar and a curved end portion abutting the carriage wherein the anchor bar is operable to move between locked positions only when the anchor bar is rotated to an unlocked position, wherein the spacer plate includes a latch member on the curved end portion selectively engagable with the carriage to retain the anchor bar at the minimum distance to the carriage when the anchor bar is rotated to align the tenons in the elongated slots in the ends of the track members so that the anchor bar may be selectively moved between predetermined positions in the elongated slots in the parallel tracks.

8. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members between the ends;

a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members;

at least one elongated elastic member extending between the carriage and an anchor bar supported in elongated slots in the track members near the foot end of the frame; and

an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably anchoring the at least one elastic member to the anchor bar in a plurality of predetermined positions, wherein the anchor bar is positionable at selectable predetermined positions along the elongated slots in the track members while maintaining a predetermined minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar, the anchor bar and carriage stop assembly comprising;

the anchor bar having opposite ends, each end having a cylindrical end cap fastened thereto via an axially extending tenon joining the anchor bar end, wherein each end cap is received in one of the elongated slots in one of the track members, and wherein the tenons each have parallel sides, the sides of each tenon being parallel to the slot in each track member only when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position, and wherein the parallel sides of the tenons engage the anchor bar stop portions of the slots when the anchor bar is rotated to a locked position; and

a generally upright oriented spacer plate having a center end portion fastened to the anchor bar and a curved end portion abutting the carriage wherein the anchor bar is operable to move between locked positions only when the anchor bar is rotated to an unlocked position, wherein the spacer plate includes a latch member on the curved end portion selectively engagable with the carriage to retain the anchor bar at the minimum distance to the carriage when the anchor bar is rotated to align the tenons in the elongated slots in the ends of the track members so that the anchor bar may be selectively moved between predetermined positions in the elongated slots in the parallel tracks.

9. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members between the ends;

a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members;

at least one elongated elastic member extending between the carriage and an anchor bar supported in the track members in elongated slots near the foot end of the frame; and

an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably anchoring the at least one elastic member to the anchor bar in a plurality of predetermined positions, wherein the anchor bar is positionable at selectable predetermined positions along the elongated slots in the track members while maintaining a predetermined minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar, the assembly including a vertical oriented spacer plate extending from the anchor bar toward the carriage, the spacer plate having a latch member engagable with the carriage when the carriage is at the predetermined minimum distance from the anchor bar.

10. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members between the ends;

a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members;

at least one elongated elastic member extending between the carriage and an anchor bar supported in the track members in elongated slots near the foot end of the frame; and

an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably anchoring the at least one elastic member to the anchor bar in a plurality of predetermined positions, the assembly including the anchor bar, the anchor bar having opposite ends and each end includes an axially extending tenon having parallel opposite sides, wherein the anchor bar is positionable at selectable predetermined positions along the elongated slots in the track members while maintaining a predetermined minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar, and a vertical oriented spacer plate extending from the anchor bar toward the carriage, the spacer plate having a latch member engagable with the carriage when the carriage is at the predetermined minimum distance from the anchor bar.

11. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members between the ends;

a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members;

at least one elongated elastic member extending between the carriage and an anchor bar supported in the track members in elongated slots near the foot end of the frame, wherein each slot has spaced anchor bar stop portions defining spaced locked positions; and

an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably anchoring the at least one elastic member to the anchor bar in a plurality of predetermined positions, the assembly including the anchor bar, the anchor bar having opposite ends and each end includes an axially extending tenon having parallel opposite sides, wherein the anchor bar is positionable at the locked positions along the elongated slots in the track members while maintaining a predetermined minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar, and a vertical oriented spacer plate extending from the anchor bar toward the carriage, the spacer plate having a latch member engagable with the carriage when the carriage is at the predetermined minimum distance from the anchor bar.

12. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members between the ends;

a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members;

at least one elongated elastic member extending between the carriage and an anchor bar supported in the track members in elongated slots near the foot end of the frame, wherein each slot has spaced anchor bar stop portions defining spaced locked positions; and

an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably anchoring the at least one elastic member to the anchor bar in a plurality of predetermined positions, the assembly including the anchor bar, the anchor bar having opposite ends and each end includes an axially extending tenon having parallel opposite sides, wherein the anchor bar is positionable at the locked positions along the elongated slots in the track members while maintaining a predetermined minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar, and a vertical oriented spacer plate extending from the anchor bar toward the carriage, the spacer plate having a latch member engagable with the carriage when the carriage is at the predetermined minimum distance from the anchor bar, wherein the anchor bar is operable to move between locked positions only when the anchor bar is rotated to an unlocked position.

13. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members between the ends;

a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members;

at least one elongated elastic member extending between the carriage and an anchor bar supported in the track members in elongated slots near the foot end of the frame, wherein each slot has spaced anchor bar stop portions defining spaced locked positions; and

an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably anchoring the at least one elastic member to the anchor bar in a plurality of predetermined positions, the assembly including the anchor bar, the anchor bar having opposite ends and each end includes an axially extending tenon having parallel opposite sides, wherein the anchor bar is positionable at the locked positions along the elongated slots in the track members while maintaining a predetermined minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar, and a vertical oriented spacer plate extending from the anchor bar toward the carriage, the spacer plate having a latch member engagable with the carriage when the carriage is at the predetermined minimum distance from the anchor bar, wherein the anchor bar is operable to move between locked positions only when the anchor bar is rotated to an unlocked position, wherein the opposite sides of each tenon are parallel to the elongated slot in each track member and the latch member engages the carriage only when the anchor bar is in the unlocked position.

14. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members between the ends;

a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members;

at least one elongated elastic member extending between the carriage and an anchor bar supported in the track members in elongated slots near the foot end of the frame, wherein each slot has spaced anchor bar stop portions defining spaced locked positions; and

an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably anchoring the at least one elastic member to the anchor bar in a plurality of predetermined positions, the assembly including the anchor bar, the anchor bar having opposite ends and each end includes an axially extending tenon having parallel opposite sides, wherein the anchor bar is positionable at the locked positions along the elongated slots in the track members while maintaining a predetermined minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar, and a vertical oriented spacer plate extending from the anchor bar toward the carriage, the spacer plate having a latch member engagable with the carriage when the carriage is at the predetermined minimum distance from the anchor bar, wherein the opposite sides of the tenons engage the anchor bar stop portions of the slots in the locked position.

15. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members between the ends;

a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along the track members;

at least one elongated elastic member extending between the carriage and an anchor bar supported in the track members in elongated slots near the foot end of the frame; and

an elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably anchoring the at least one elastic member to the anchor bar in a plurality of predetermined positions, wherein the anchor bar is positionable at selectable predetermined positions along the elongated slots in the track members while maintaining a predetermined minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar, the assembly including a vertical oriented spacer plate having a pie-piece shape extending from the anchor bar toward the carriage, the spacer plate having a center end portion fastened to the anchor bar and a curved end facing the carriage, and a latch member engagable with the carriage when the carriage is at the predetermined minimum distance from the anchor bar.

16. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot; and

a spacer member having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage operable to maintain a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position.

17. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot;

a spacer member having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage operable to maintain a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position; and

a latch means for engaging the other of the anchor bar and the carriage when the anchor bar is in the unlocked position to maintain the minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar during movement of the anchor bar in the slots between anchor bar stop portions.

18. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot;

a spacer member having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage operable to maintain a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position; and

a latch means for engaging the other of the anchor bar and the carriage when the anchor bar is in the unlocked position to maintain the minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar during movement of the anchor bar in the slots between anchor bar stop portions, wherein each end of the anchor bar has an axially extending tenon having parallel sides.

19. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot;

a spacer member having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage operable to maintain a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position; and

a latch means for engaging the other of the anchor bar and the carriage when the anchor bar is in the unlocked position to maintain the minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar during movement of the anchor bar in the slots between anchor bar stop portions;

wherein each end of the anchor bar has an axially extending tenon having parallel sides wherein the parallel sides of the tenon engage the anchor bar stop portions when the anchor bar is in a locked position.

20. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot;

a spacer member having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage operable to maintain a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position, and;

a means on the anchor bar for determining when the anchor bar is at one of the stop portions.

21. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot;

a spacer member having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage operable to maintain a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position; and

a spring loaded ball projecting from each end of the anchor bar that is engagable with a recess in the tubular track at each stop portion for determining when the anchor bar is at one of the stop portions.

22. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot; and

a spacer member having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage operable to maintain a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position, wherein the spacer member is a generally upright oriented spacer plate having a center end portion fastened to the anchor bar and a curved end portion abutting the carriage.

23. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot; and

a spacer member having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage operable to maintain a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position, wherein the spacer member is a generally upright oriented spacer plate having a center end portion fastened to the anchor bar and a curved end portion abutting the carriage and wherein the anchor bar has opposite ends and each end has a cylindrical end cap fastened thereto having an axially extending tenon fastened to the anchor bar end, and wherein each end cap is received in one of the elongated slots in one of the track members.

24. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end having a cylindrical end cap fastened thereto having an axially extending tenon fastened to the anchor bar end, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members and wherein each end cap is received in one of the elongated slots in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot; and

a spacer member having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage operable to maintain a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position, wherein the spacer member is a generally upright oriented spacer plate having a center end portion fastened to the anchor bar and a curved end portion abutting the carriage and has a latch member on the curved end portion selectively engagable with the carriage to retain the anchor bar at the minimum distance to the carriage when the anchor bar is rotated to align the tenons in the elongated slots in the ends of the track members so that the anchor bar may be selectively moved between predetermined positions in the elongated slots in the parallel tracks.

25. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot therein extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot; and

a spacer means having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage for maintaining a predetermined distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position and maintaining a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position.

26. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot therein extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot; and

a vertically oriented spacer means having one end fastened to the anchor bar and an opposite end facing the carriage for maintaining a predetermined distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position and maintaining a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position.

27. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot therein extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot; and

a vertically oriented spacer member having one end fastened to the anchor bar and an opposite end facing the carriage for maintaining a predetermined distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position and maintaining a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position wherein the vertically oriented member has a latch means extending therefrom for engaging with the carriage to maintain the predetermined distance in the unlocked position.

28. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot therein extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot; and

a spacer means having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage for maintaining a predetermined distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position and maintaining a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position, wherein each end of the anchor bar carries a spring loaded ball in an axial blind bore positioned to removably engage a portion of the track member at each locked portion to indicate registration of the anchor bar at each of the locked positions.

29. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot therein extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot; and

a spacer means having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage for maintaining a predetermined distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position and maintaining a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position, wherein each end of the anchor bar includes a generally cylindrical cap having a tenon connected to the anchor bar and wherein the tenon is sized to slide within the slot in the track member and the cylindrical cap substantially centers the tenon inside the track member.

30. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot therein extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot; and

a spacer means having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage for maintaining a predetermined distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position and maintaining a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position wherein the spacer means includes a pair of vertically oriented members each having one end attached to the anchor bar.

31. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot therein extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot; and

a spacer means having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage for maintaining a predetermined distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position and maintaining a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position wherein the spacer means includes a pair of vertically oriented members each having one end attached to the anchor bar wherein the vertically oriented members each has a latch member for engaging the carriage when the anchor bar is in the unlocked position.

32. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot therein extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot; and

a spacer means having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage for maintaining a predetermined distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position and maintaining a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position, wherein the spacer means is a bracket fastened to the carriage, wherein the bracket has an elongated member extending from the carriage toward the anchor bar to abut against the anchor bar in the unlocked position and in the locked position.

33. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot therein extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot; and

a spacer means having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage for maintaining a predetermined distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position and maintaining a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position, wherein the spacer means is a bracket fastened to the carriage, wherein the bracket has an elongated member extending from the carriage toward the anchor bar to abut against the anchor bar in the unlocked position and in the locked position, wherein a distal end of the elongated member carries a cushioning pad to absorb impact between the carriage and the anchor bar.

34. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot therein extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot; and

a spacer means having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage for maintaining a predetermined distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position and maintaining a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position, wherein the spacer means is a bracket fastened to the carriage, wherein the bracket has an elongated member extending from the carriage toward the anchor bar to abut against the anchor bar in the unlocked position and in the locked position, wherein the anchor bar has a latch member extending therefrom engagable with the elongated member extending from the carriage when the anchor bar is in the unlocked position.

35. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable carriage mounted on parallel track members, the assembly comprising:

each the track member having an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member having an elongated slot therein extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member;

an anchor bar having opposite ends, each end extending into the elongated slot in one of the track members, wherein each track member has a plurality of spaced anchor bar stop portions formed in the slot engagable with the end of the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position in the slot to prevent end movement along the slot; and

a spacer means having one end fastened to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage for maintaining a predetermined distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in an unlocked position and maintaining a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in a locked position, wherein the spacer means includes a pair of brackets each fastened to a support tube on the carriage, wherein each bracket has an elongated portion extending from the carriage toward the anchor bar to abut against the anchor bar in both the unlocked and locked positions.