Exercise apparatus
First Claim
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1. An exercise apparatus comprising:
- (a) a frame;
(b) a cable arranged in the frame, the cable comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
(c) a gripping device connected with the proximal end of the cable, the gripping device enabling a user to exert a tensile force on the cable in a desired direction;
(d) one or more substantially vertical guides attached to the frame;
(e) a resistance source coupled to the distal end of the cable, the resistance source exerting a counter force to the distal end as the proximal end of the cable is pulled by the user, said resistance source comprising;
(1) one or more weights arranged in a weight stack, said weights being arranged to move substantially vertically on said guides;
(2) a retaining member disposed above said weight stack and arranged to move substantially vertically on said guides, the retaining member coupled to the distal end of the cable and comprising at least two of;
(i) first means for removably attaching an upper end of at least one tension spring;
(ii) second means for retaining an additional source of resistance; and
(iii) third means for selectively coupling to a plurality of weights in said weight stack;
(3) a fourth means disposed on the frame for removably attaching a lower end of said tension spring; and
(f) a friction reducing device attached to said retaining member, said friction reducing device mechanically and rollingly coupling said retaining member to said guides, said friction reducing device being selected from the group consisting of;
(1) a linear ball bearing surrounding said guides;
(2) a linear roller bearing surrounding said guides; and
(3) a device comprising a bracket and a plurality of rollers rotatably arranged thereon and adapted to roll along said guides;
whereby said friction reducing device minimizes friction between said retaining member and said guides.
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Abstract
Exercise apparatus, for example of the type disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,976, is provided with a resistance source for exerting a counterforce to the force applied by the user. This resistance source includes at least two of (1) means, such as a cylindrical rod or the like, for removably holding one or more weights, (2) at least one hook or the like for removably attaching one or more springs, and (3) means for removably attaching one or more damping devices.
84 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An exercise apparatus comprising:
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(a) a frame; (b) a cable arranged in the frame, the cable comprising a proximal end and a distal end; (c) a gripping device connected with the proximal end of the cable, the gripping device enabling a user to exert a tensile force on the cable in a desired direction; (d) one or more substantially vertical guides attached to the frame; (e) a resistance source coupled to the distal end of the cable, the resistance source exerting a counter force to the distal end as the proximal end of the cable is pulled by the user, said resistance source comprising; (1) one or more weights arranged in a weight stack, said weights being arranged to move substantially vertically on said guides; (2) a retaining member disposed above said weight stack and arranged to move substantially vertically on said guides, the retaining member coupled to the distal end of the cable and comprising at least two of; (i) first means for removably attaching an upper end of at least one tension spring; (ii) second means for retaining an additional source of resistance; and (iii) third means for selectively coupling to a plurality of weights in said weight stack; (3) a fourth means disposed on the frame for removably attaching a lower end of said tension spring; and (f) a friction reducing device attached to said retaining member, said friction reducing device mechanically and rollingly coupling said retaining member to said guides, said friction reducing device being selected from the group consisting of; (1) a linear ball bearing surrounding said guides; (2) a linear roller bearing surrounding said guides; and (3) a device comprising a bracket and a plurality of rollers rotatably arranged thereon and adapted to roll along said guides; whereby said friction reducing device minimizes friction between said retaining member and said guides. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. Exercise apparatus having a frame and a stack of weights comprising, in combination:
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(1) a first device for removably connecting a tension spring to a topmost weight in said weight stack, said first device comprising; (a) an elongate bar having means for attachment of one end of said tension spring, said bar being adapted to extend across, and to be clamped onto, a top surface of said topmost weight, said bar having at least one hole therein; (b) at least one S-shaped clamp adapted to be inserted between said topmost weight and a lower weight in said weight stack, said clamp having at least one hole therein; (c) a bolt, adapted to be passed through said openings in said bar and said clamp, for securing said bar and said clamp together; and (2) a second device for removably connecting an opposite end of said tension spring to the frame, said second device comprising; (a) an U-shaped bracket having a threaded hole therein, and means for attachment of said opposite of said tension spring; and (b) a threaded bolt inserted in said hole, the threads of said bolt mating with the threads of said hole, to clamp the U-shaped bracket to the frame member.
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Specification