Strength system with pivoting components

• US 7,771,329 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IFIT Incorporated (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Icon-Ip Pty Limited
• Inventors: Willardson, Jared R., Dalebout, William T., Olson, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathew; Fenn C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tecco; Andrew M
• Application Number:
  US11/864,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20090062086A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 482 92- 94, 482 97-103, 482/133, 482/138, 482/142, 482/908
• US Class Current: 482/99
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0355 A single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limb or limbs

Abstract

The present invention relates to a strength training exercise device that can be packaged in a substantially pre-assembled manner and that can be reoriented between a packaged position and a use position without the use of tools. The strength training device includes a frame, a resistance assembly, at least one exercise station, and a cable and pulley system linking the resistance assembly to the at least one exercise station. The frame includes a base portion having a stability member that can be moved between a packaged position and a use position. Similarly, an exercise station can be moved between a packaged position and a use position to facilitate packaging and shipping of the strength training device in a substantially pre-assembled manner. The cable and pulley system can link the resistance assembly to the at least one exercise station when the strength training device is in the packaged position.

Claims

1. A strength training device comprising:

a frame;

a resistance assembly coupled to said frame; and

a press arm assembly comprising;

a press arm support pivotally secured to the frame and linked to the resistance assembly such that the resistance assembly resists rotation of the press arm support, wherein the press arm support has a first end and a second, wherein the first end of the press arm support is pivotally secured to the frame, wherein the press arm support comprises a first shaft;

a press arm pivotally secured to the second end of the press arm support;

an extension arm pivotally coupled to the press arm, wherein the extension arm is adapted to be engaged by a user to perform a strength training exercise; and

a locking mechanism configured to selectively fix the press arm relative to the press arm support in one of a storage position and a use position, the press arm being closer to the frame when in the storage position than when in the use position, wherein the locking mechanism has a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position and unlocked position correspond to different positions along a length of the first shaft.

2. The strength training device of claim 1, wherein said strength training device is substantially more compact when said press are is in said storage position than when in said use position.

3. The strength training device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of exercise stations linked to said resistance assembly.

4. The strength training device of claim 1, further comprising a shroud disposed around at least a portion of said resistance assembly, said shroud being made from a flexible, resilient material.

5. The strength training device of claim 1, wherein said resistance assembly comprises a cable and pulley system and a resistance device selected from the group consisting of one or more weight stacks, one or more resilient rods, a rotation-activated resistance mechanism, and a resistance mechanism having a pivoting arm and resistance member.

6. The strength training device of claim 1, wherein the press arm comprises a second shaft slidably coupled to the first shaft of the press arm support.

7. The strength training device of claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a biasing member engaging the first and second shafts, the locking mechanism further comprising a first cap secured to the first shaft and a second cap secured to the second shaft, wherein the biasing member contacts the first cap to engage the first shaft and biasing member contacts the second cap to engage the second shaft.

8. A strength training device comprising:

an upright member;

a resistance assembly coupled to the upright member; and

a press arm assembly comprising;

a press arm support pivotally secured to the upright member and linked to the resistance assembly such that the resistance assembly resists rotation of the press arm support, wherein the press arm support comprises a first shaft,

a press arm pivotally secured to the press arm support, wherein the press arm comprises a second shaft slidably engaging the first shaft of the press arm support, and

a locking mechanism configured to selectively fix the press arm relative to the press arm support in one of a storage position and use a position, the press arm being closer to the upright member in the storage position, the locking mechanism configured such that the press arm can be moved from the use position to the storage position by (i) moving the press arm downwardly relative to the press arm support and (ii) rotating the press arm with respect to the press arm support, wherein the locking mechanism has a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position and unlocked position correspond to different positions along the first shaft, and wherein the press arm can move between the storage position and use position when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position, and wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a biasing member engaging the first and second shafts urging the locking mechanism in the locked position.

9. The strength training device of claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism further comprising a pin engaging both the first and second shafts in the locked position and disengaged from one of the first and second shafts in the unlocked position.

10. The strength training device of claim 9, wherein the pin is disengaged from the first shaft in the unlocked position.

11. The strength training device of claim 8, wherein a portion of the second shaft is positioned within the first shaft.

12. The strength training device of claim 8, wherein the press arm support is pivotally secured to the upright member such that the press arm support is pivotable about a first axis and wherein the press arm is pivotally secured to the press arm support such that the press arm is pivotable about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

13. The strength training device of claim 8, wherein the press arm comprises an extension pivotally secured thereto and having a portion for gripping by a user.

14. The strength training device of claim 13, wherein the extension has a storage position and a use position, wherein the extension is closer to the press arm in the storage position of the extension than in the use position of the extension.

15. The strength training device of claim 8, wherein said resistance assembly is selected from the group consisting of one or more weight stacks, one or more resilient rods, a rotation-activated resistance device, and a resistance mechanism having a pivoting arm and resistance member.

16. The strength training device of claim 8, wherein said resistance assembly comprises a cable and pulley system and wherein the cable is selectively securable to the press arm support.

17. A strength training device comprising:

a frame;

a resistance assembly coupled to the frame; and

a press arm assembly comprising;

a press arm support pivotally secured to the frame and linked to the resistance assembly such that the resistance assembly resists movement of the press arm support, wherein the press arm support comprises a first shaft,

a press arm movably secured to the press arm support, wherein the press arm comprises a second shaft slidably coupled to the first shaft of the press arm support, and

a locking mechanism configured to selectively fix the press arm relative to the press arm support in one of a storage position and use a position, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a biasing member engaging the first and second shafts, wherein the biasing member is adapted to bias the locking member in a locked position, wherein the locking mechanism is changed from a locked position to an unlocked position by movement of the second shaft along a length of the first shaft.

18. The strength training device of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of exercise stations linked to said resistance assembly.

19. The strength training device of claim 17, wherein said resistance assembly is selected from the group consisting of one or more weight stacks, one or more resilient rods, a rotation-activated resistance device, and a resistance mechanism having a pivoting arm and resistance member.

20. A strength training device comprising:

a frame;

a resistance assembly coupled to the frame; and

a press arm assembly comprising;

a press arm support pivotally secured to the frame and linked to the resistance assembly such that the resistance assembly resists movement of the press arm support, wherein the press arm support comprises a first shaft,

a press arm movably secured to the press arm support, wherein the press arm comprises a second shaft slidably coupled to the first shaft of the press arm support, and

a locking mechanism configured to selectively fix the press arm relative to the press arm support in one of a storage position and use a position, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a biasing member engaging the first and second shafts, wherein the biasing member is adapted to bias the locking member in a locked position, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first cap secured to the first shaft and second cap secured to the second shaft, wherein the biasing member contacts the first cap to engage the first shaft and biasing member contacts the second cap to engage the second shaft.