Exercise weight stack apparatus

• US 7,507,189 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2005
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Krull, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): HWANG, VICTOR KENNY
• Application Number:
  US11/301,395
• Publication Number:
  US 20060205571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• Field of Search: 482 92- 94, 482 97-103, 482/138, 482/148, 482/908
• US Class Current: 482/98
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/063 Weight selecting means

Abstract

An exercise device including one or more weight stacks moveably supported on a frame. Each weight stack includes one or more weight plates that may be selectively engaged by way of a dial arrangement operably coupled with the weight stack. The dial arrangement is connected with a selection member that extends through a selection aperture in the weight plates. Each selection aperture defines a unique contour with at least one engaging surface, such as a tab. The selection member has corresponding protrusions adapted to engage the engaging surface of the weight plate. Each dial arrangement may be configured so that the weight stack may only be actuated when the selection member is properly positioned so that the protrusions properly engage the engaging surfaces. By adjusting the dial setting, the selection member is rotated so that one or more of the various protrusions engage associated engaging surfaces in order to engage some combination of weight plates. Upon actuation (i.e., exercise), the selected weights are engaged and moved when the selection member is properly orientated.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

a frame including at least one post defining a periphery at least partially of a first shape;

a first weight stack moveably supported on the frame, the first weight stack including a plurality of first weight plates each defining at least one guide aperture receiving the at least one post and at least one selection aperture;

a member rotatably supported in the at least one selection aperture of each first weight plate, the member defining a plurality of protrusions each adapted to engage one of the weight plates; and

a second member operably associated with the member, the second member defining a contoured periphery having a plurality of indentations corresponding with the first shape.

2. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the at least one post defines a notch adapted to receive the second member.

3. The exercise device of claim 2 wherein the at least one post defines a notch adapted to receive the second member when the weight stack is in a rest position.

4. The exercise device of claim 3 wherein the notch interferes with upward movement of the first weight stack if the at least one post is not properly seated in the indentation.

5. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the first shape is at least partially circular.

6. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of indentations corresponds with a particular selection of one or more weight plates.

7. The exercise device of claim 6 wherein the particular selection of one or more weight plates occurs when the at least one post is seated within a corresponding indentation.

8. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the selection aperture defines a contoured leading edge.

9. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the selection aperture defines at least one tab and at least one notch.

10. The exercise device of claim 9 wherein one of the plurality of protrusions of the member is adapted to engage the at least one tab of a particular weight plate to engage the weight plate.

11. The exercise device of claim 1 further comprising a second weight stack moveably supported on the frame.

12. The exercise device of claim 11 wherein the frame includes at least one second post defining a periphery at least partially of a second shape.

13. The exercise device of claim 12 wherein the second weight stack including a plurality of second weight plates each defining at least one second guide aperture receiving the at least one second post and at least one second selection aperture.

14. The exercise device of claim 13 further comprising a third member rotatably supported in the at least one second selection aperture of each second weight plate, the third member defining a plurality of second protrusions each adapted to engage one of the second weight plates.

15. The exercise device of claim 14 further comprising a fourth member operably associated with the third member, the fourth member defining a contoured periphery having a second plurality of indentations corresponding with the second shape.

16. The exercise device of claim 15 wherein the at least one second post defines a second notch adapted to receive the fourth member.

17. The exercise device of claim 16 wherein the at least one second post defines a notch adapted to receive the fourth member when the second weight stack is in a rest position.

18. The exercise device of claim 15 wherein the first member defines a rod, the second member defines a plate, the third member defines a second rod, and the fourth member defines a second plate.

19. The exercise device of claim 14 wherein the first member and the third member are arranged to cooperate in selecting a particular combination of first weight and second weights.

20. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a spring secured to at least one of the plurality of first weights.

21. The exercise device of claim 20, wherein the spring includes a head configured for receipt in at least one of the plurality of indentations.

22. The exercise device of claim 21, wherein the spring biases the head to remain received in the at least one of the plurality of indentations.