Exercise machine with pivoting user support having multiple pivot linkage
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. An exercise machine, comprising:
- a stationary main frame having an upper end, a lower end, a first end, and a second end;
a user support frame which is adapted to support a user in an exercise ready position on the main frame;
a multiple part pivot assembly pivotally mounting the user support frame relative to the main frame and having multiple pivots which together control pivotal movement of the user support frame in an arcuate exercise movement path about a central pivot axis;
the user support frame having at least a primary support and a secondary support which support spaced positions on a user'"'"'s body throughout an exercise movement, the secondary support being secured at a fixed and unchanging angular orientation relative to the primary support at least throughout an exercise movement, the primary support supporting the majority of a user'"'"'s weight in the start position of the support frame;
a user engagement device movably mounted relative to the frames for engagement by the user in performing exercises;
a connecting linkage which translates movement of the user engagement device during an exercise to movement of the user support frame;
a load for resisting movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage; and
the central pivot axis of the pivotal movement of the user support frame being positioned such that a gravitational center line which extends vertically through the central pivot axis also extends through the user support frame during at least part of the arcuate exercise movement path of the user support frame and only a portion of the combined weight of the user and user support frame passes through the gravitational center line during an exercise.
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Abstract
An exercise machine has a main frame, a user support frame which supports a user in an exercise position, and a multiple pivot assembly pivotally mounting the user support frame for movement between a start position and an end position. The pivot assembly has multiple pivots which define a theoretical pivot axis of the user support pivotal movement and a vertical gravitational center line which extends through the theoretical pivot axis. The user support frame has at least a primary support and a secondary support for supporting spaced positions on a user'"'"'s body throughout an exercise movement. A user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the frames for engagement by the user in performing exercises, and a multiple part connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to rotational movement of the user support frame. A load resists movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage.
115 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An exercise machine, comprising:
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a stationary main frame having an upper end, a lower end, a first end, and a second end; a user support frame which is adapted to support a user in an exercise ready position on the main frame; a multiple part pivot assembly pivotally mounting the user support frame relative to the main frame and having multiple pivots which together control pivotal movement of the user support frame in an arcuate exercise movement path about a central pivot axis; the user support frame having at least a primary support and a secondary support which support spaced positions on a user'"'"'s body throughout an exercise movement, the secondary support being secured at a fixed and unchanging angular orientation relative to the primary support at least throughout an exercise movement, the primary support supporting the majority of a user'"'"'s weight in the start position of the support frame; a user engagement device movably mounted relative to the frames for engagement by the user in performing exercises; a connecting linkage which translates movement of the user engagement device during an exercise to movement of the user support frame; a load for resisting movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage; and the central pivot axis of the pivotal movement of the user support frame being positioned such that a gravitational center line which extends vertically through the central pivot axis also extends through the user support frame during at least part of the arcuate exercise movement path of the user support frame and only a portion of the combined weight of the user and user support frame passes through the gravitational center line during an exercise. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An exercise machine, comprising:
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a stationary main frame; a user support frame which is adapted to support a user in an exercise ready position; a multiple pivot assembly pivotally mounting the user support frame which allows rotation of the user support frame during an exercise in an arcuate exercise movement path relative to the main frame from an exercise start position, the pivot assembly having multiple pivots which together control the user support frame to move in the arcuate exercise movement path about a central pivot axis during an exercise; the user support frame having at least a primary support and a secondary support which support spaced positions on a user'"'"'s body throughout an exercise movement, the secondary support being secured at a fixed and unchanging angular orientation relative to the primary support throughout an exercise movement, the primary support supporting the majority of a user'"'"'s weight at least in the start position of the support frame; a user engagement device comprising at least one rigid exercise arm pivotally mounted to the main frame at a location above the user support frame for rotation about an exercise arm pivot axis, the exercise arm extending over the user support frame; at least one handle suspended from the exercise arm above the user support at a predetermined position for gripping by at least one hand of a user positioned on the user support with their arms extended upward in a start position for a lat pulldown exercise; a connecting linkage which translates movement of the user engagement device during an exercise to movement of the user support frame; and a load for resisting movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage.
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Specification