Exercise machine having rotatable weight selection index

• US 7,736,283 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2007
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Webb, Gregory M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathew; Fenn C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tecco; Andrew M
• Application Number:
  US11/867,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20080085821A1
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 482 92- 94, 482/97, 482106-107, 482/137, 482/908
• US Class Current: 482/97
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00065 by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/045 having torsion or bending or flexion element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0615 pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/063 Weight selecting means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/08 anchored at one end
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/159 Using levers for transmitting forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615

Abstract

A weight exercise machine may include an exercise member, one or more weights, and one or more weight selectors. When using the machine to exercise, the user exerts an exercise force against the exercise member. A weight selector may be rotated, pivoted, or otherwise moved to operably couple the exercise member to at least one of the weights such that displacement of the exercise member causes at least one of the weights to displace, thus providing resistance to displacement of the exercise member. The weights may include main weights and add-on weights for operative coupling to the exercise member via a movable frame. The one or more weight selectors allow for selection of different combinations of weights for providing resistance to displacement of the exercise member.

Claims

1. A weight exercise machine comprising:

a first frame including a first shaft;

a second frame operatively associated with the first frame and pivotable relative to the first frame about the first shaft;

at least one first weight including an aperture, the first shaft passing through the aperture to pivotally join the at least one first weight to the first frame, and the at least one first weight pivotable relative to the first frame about the first shaft;

a second shaft including at least one cam thereon operatively associated with at least one of the at least one first weight to selectively operatively associate and to selectively disassociate the at least one of the at least one first weight with the second frame; and

a weight selector operatively associated with the second shaft;

wherein;

the weight selector is rotatable around an axis;

the axis is substantially co-axial with the second shaft; and

when the second frame is pivoted relative to the first frame;

the at least one weight pivots relative to the first frame about the first shaft when operatively associated with the second frame; and

the at least one weight remains substantially stationary with respect to the first frame when the at least one weight is disassociated from the second frame.

2. The machine of claim 1, further comprising at least one arm operatively associated with the at least one cam, the at least one arm operating in conjunction with the at least one cam to selectively operatively associate and to selectively disassociate the at least one of the at least one first weight associated with the at least one cam with the second frame.

3. The machine of claim 2, wherein at least one of the at least one arm and at least one of the at least one first weight are selectively engageable to and detachable from each other.

4. The machine of claim 3, wherein at least one of the at least one cam is operative to move at least one arm engageable and detachable with at least one first weight into and out of engagement with the at least one first weight.

5. The machine of claim 1, wherein the weight selector includes a system associated therewith for indicating weight between a minimum and a maximum weight.

6. The machine of claim 1, further comprising the second frame operatively associated with an exercise member against which a user exerts an exercise force.

7. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a second weight pivotally mounted on the first shaft; and

a second weight selector operatively associated with the second weight to selectively operatively associate and to selectively disassociate the second weight with the second frame.

8. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one second weight pivotally mounted on the first shaft; and

a second weight selector operatively associated with the at least one second weight to selectively operatively associate and to selectively disassociate at least one of the at least one second weight with the second frame.

9. The machine of claim 8, further comprising:

a third shaft;

at least one weight engagement member operatively associated with the third shaft and the second weight selector;

wherein;

the at least one weight engagement member and the second weight selector operate in conjunction to selectively operatively associate and to selectively disassociate the at least one of the at least one second weight with the second frame.

10. The machine of claim 9, wherein at least one of the at least one weight engagement member includes at least one engagement tab for selective engagement with the at least one of the at least one second weight.

11. The machine of claim 9, wherein at least one of the at least one weight engagement member comprises a hook for selective engagement with the at least one of the at least one second weight.