Torque releasing mechanism for fitness training equipment

• US 7,341,545 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2004
• Issued: 03/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Guofang Cao
• Original Assignee: Guofang Cao
• Inventors: Cao, Guofang
• Primary Examiner(s): Till; Terrence R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DURCIK, RYAN D
• Application Number:
  US10/709,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20050266968A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 482/69, 482 86- 89, 482 93-109, 403/150, 403/151, 403/157
• US Class Current: 482/93
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/15 Arrangements for force transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes 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: Y10T 403/32861 T-pivot, e.g., wrist pin, etc.

Abstract

Steel cables on fitness equipment, through repeated use, will build up undesired torque, due to irregular and unpredictable turns and spins. Such accumulated and undesired torque has a tendency to cause the cable to derail from the grooves on the gears it is supposed to stay and slide. The grab bar or handle bar, where a user grabs to start workout routine, likewise, has a tendency to turn or spin in an uncontrollable way and could potentially injure a user. Present invention effectively releases the undesired torque and restores the cable to its neutral and relaxed state, so that the fitness equipment will experience less malfunctioning, and user safety is enhanced.

Claims

1. Torque releasing mechanism for fitness equipment, comprising:

a. An eye hook piece having an eye for fastening cable and a bolt body with threaded end;

b. A top cap piece having a center aperture allowing said bolt body to be slidably inserted;

c. A washer piece for insertion into said bolt body;

d. A nut piece for securing said washer piece to the threaded end of said bolt body;

e. A bottom piece for receiving a grab bar of a fitness equipment; and

,

f. A locking pin of suitable rigid material for connecting said bottom piece to said top cap piece by inserting through overlapping holes on side panels of top cap piece and bottom piece, whereby said nut and washer are fastened to said eye hook piece and are situated in the space between the grab bar and said top cap piece.

2. Torque releasing mechanism for fitness equipment, comprising:

a. An eye hook piece having an eye for fastening cable and a bolt body with threaded end;

b. A top cap piece having a center aperture allowing said bolt body to be slidably inserted, said top cap piece has circular shape with thread lines along the inside wall;

c. A washer piece for insertion into said bolt body;

d. A nut piece for securing said washer piece to the threaded end of said bolt body;

e. A bottom piece for receiving a grab bar of a fitness equipment, said bottom piece has circular shape with thread lines along its outside wall and sized to be fit into and tightened with the inside wall of said top cap piece, whereby said nut and washer are fastened to said eye hook piece and are situated in the space between the grab bar and said top cap piece.