Exercise device

• US 7,815,552 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2005
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Christopher, Brent, Warner, Patrick A., Golesh, Eric D., Dibble, Ryan R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan
• Assistant Examiner(s): HWANG, VICTOR KENNY
• Application Number:
  US11/249,119
• Publication Number:
  US 20060100069A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,834 Days
• Field of Search: 482/92, 482/103, 482/121, 482/129, 482/130, 482/138, 482/908, 482/127, 403/322.3, 403/55, 403/99, 403/103, 248/124.1, 248/124.2, 248/276.1, 248/288.31, 248/288.51, 248/921
• US Class Current: 482/92
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00047 Exercising devices not moving during use benches A63B21/4029; isometric exercising devices A63B21/0023; step exercisers A63B23/0458; walk exercisers A63B23/0464
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/045 having torsion or bending or flexion element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/155 Cam-shaped pulleys or other non-uniform pulleys, e.g. conical
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/156 the position of the pulleys being variable, e.g. for different exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4031 with parts of the bench moving against a resistance during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/102 having a common resisting device
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03566 the multiple stations having a common resistance device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/908 Adjustable

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention involve an exercise device configurable to allow a user to perform various exercises. The exercise devices include an adjustable bench assembly connected with a frame supporting adjustable arm and cable-pulley assemblies providing a user interface with a resistance system. In some embodiments of the invention, the adjustable bench assembly includes a bench seat and a pivotal back support supported on an adjustable bench frame. The exercise devices also utilize various configurations of adjustable arm assemblies that are selectively positionable for numerous exercises and to suit a user'"'"'s particular body size and shape. Other embodiments of the exercise devices include a resistance system with a transmission supporting a plurality of resistance packs. The transmission allows a user to conveniently engage any number of resistance packs to change the resistance level for a particular exercise.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

an arm bi-directionally coupled with the frame through a first axle and a second axle and configured to be manually moved by a user of the exercise device during exercise;

a first securing mechanism adapted to secure the arm in a first position relative to the first axle;

a second securing mechanism adapted to secure the arm in a second position relative to the second axle; and

a release mechanism operably coupled with the first and second securing mechanisms and adapted to simultaneously activate the securing mechanisms to move the arm about the first and second axles.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first securing mechanism comprises a pop pin.

3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the second securing mechanism comprises a pop pin.

4. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising:

a resistance system supported on the frame; and

a cable operably coupling the arm with the resistance system.

5. The exercise device of claim 4, further comprising:

at least one pulley operably coupled with the cable;

a housing rotatably supporting the at least one pulley; and

wherein the housing is pivotally connected with the arm through the first axle and wherein the housing is pivotally connected with the frame through the second axle.

6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism comprises a lever pivotally connected with the arm to pivot relative to the arm to activate the securing mechanisms.

7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism comprises a handle slidingly connected with the arm.

8. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a third securing mechanism adapted to secure the arm in a third position relative to the frame.

9. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the third securing mechanism comprises a pop pin.

10. The exercise device of claim 8, further comprising a second release mechanism, different from the first release mechanism, operably coupled with the third securing mechanism and adapted to activate the third securing mechanism independently of the first and second securing mechanisms to move the arm to adjust the third position of the arm relative to the frame without moving the arm about the first and second axles.

11. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the frame includes a rail and the arm is coupled with the frame to move along the rail.

12. The exercise device of claim 11, further comprising a second release mechanism, different from the first release mechanism, operably coupled with the third securing mechanism and adapted to activate the third securing mechanism independently of the first and second securing mechanisms to move the arm to adjust the third position of the arm relative to the rail without moving the arm about the first and second axles.

13. The exercise device of claim 11, wherein the rail comprises an upright member of the frame.

14. The exercise device of claim 13, further comprising a second release mechanism, different from the first release mechanism, operably coupled with the third securing mechanism and adapted to activate the third securing mechanism independently of the first and second securing mechanisms to move the arm to adjust the third position of the arm relative to the upright member without moving the arm about the first and second axles.

15. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising:

a first cable connecting the release mechanism with the first securing mechanism; and

a second cable connecting the release mechanism with the second securing mechanism.

16. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein:

the first securing mechanism comprises a first means for securing the arm in the first position; and

the second securing mechanism comprises a second means for securing the arm in the second position.

17. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein movement of the arm about the first axle comprises movement of the arm in a first plane and movement of the arm about the second axle comprises movement of the arm in a second plane different from the first plane.

18. The exercise device of claim 17, wherein the first plane is a horizontal plane and the second plane is a vertical plane.

19. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein each securing mechanism secures the arm independently relative to the respective axle.

20. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first securing mechanism is separate and distinct from the second securing mechanism.

21. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

a resistance system supported on the frame;

a first arm operably coupled with the resistance system and rotatably supported by the frame, the first arm selectively positionable about a first axis of rotation and selectively positionable about a second axis of rotation;

a first securing mechanism adapted to secure the first arm in a first position about the first axis of rotation;

a second securing mechanism adapted to secure the first arm in a second position about the second axis of rotation;

a first release mechanism operably coupled with the first and second securing mechanisms and adapted to simultaneously activate the first and second securing mechanisms to move the first arm about the first and second axes of rotation;

a second arm operably coupled with the resistance system and rotatably supported by the frame, the second arm selectively positionable about a third axis of rotation and selectively positionable about a fourth axis of rotation;

a third securing mechanism adapted to secure the second arm in a third position about the first third of rotation;

a fourth securing mechanism adapted to secure the second arm in a fourth position about the fourth axis of rotation;

a second release mechanism operably coupled with the third and fourth securing mechanisms and adapted to simultaneously activate the third and fourth securing mechanisms to move the second arm about the third and fourth axes of rotation.

22. The exercise device of claim 21, further comprising:

a first cable operably coupling the first arm assembly with the resistance system; and

a second cable operably coupling the second arm assembly with the resistance system.

23. The exercise device of claim 21, wherein the first securing mechanism comprises a first pop pin;

the second securing mechanism comprises a second pop pin, the third securing mechanism comprises a third pop pin, and the fourth securing mechanism comprises a fourth pop pin.

24. The exercise device of claim 21, wherein:

the first release mechanism is supported by the first arm; and

the second release mechanism is supported by the second arm.

25. The exercise device of claim 24, wherein the first release mechanism comprises a first lever that pivots relative to the first arm to activate the first and second securing mechanisms and the second release mechanism comprises a second lever that pivots relative to the second arm to activate the third and fourth securing mechanisms.

26. The exercise device of claim 21, wherein:

movement of the first arm about the first axis of rotation comprises movement of the first arm in a first plane and movement of the first arm about the second axis of rotation comprises movement of the first in a second plane different from the first plane; and

movement of the second arm about the third axis of rotation comprises movement of the second arm in a third plane and movement of the second arm about the fourth axis of rotation comprises movement of the second in a fourth plane different from the third plane.

27. The exercise device of claim 26, wherein the first and third planes are horizontal planes and the second and fourth planes are vertical planes.

28. The exercise device of claim 21, wherein:

the first release mechanism is operable independently from the second release mechanism to activate the first and second securing mechanisms to move the first arm about the first and second axes of rotation without activating the third and fourth securing mechanisms to move the second arm about the third and fourth axes of rotation; and

the second release mechanism is operable independently from the first release mechanism to activate the third and fourth securing mechanisms to move the second arm about the third and fourth axes of rotation without activating the first and second securing mechanisms to move the first arm about the first and second axes of rotation.

29. The exercise device of claim 21, further comprising:

a fifth securing mechanism adapted to secure the first arm in a fifth position relative to the frame; and

a sixth securing mechanism adapted to secure the second arm in a sixth position relative to the frame.

30. The exercise device of claim 29, further comprising:

a third release mechanism, different from the first release mechanism, operably coupled with the fifth securing mechanism and adapted to activate the fifth securing mechanism independently of the first and second securing mechanisms to move the first arm to adjust the fifth position of the first arm relative to the frame without moving the first arm about the first and second axes of rotation; and

a fourth release mechanism, different from the second release mechanism, operably coupled with the sixth securing mechanism and adapted to activate the sixth securing mechanism independently of the third and fourth securing mechanisms to move the second arm to adjust the sixth position of the second arm relative to the frame without moving the second arm about the third and fourth axes of rotation.

31. The exercise device of claim 29, wherein the frame includes a first rail and a second rail, the first arm coupled with the frame to move along the first rail and the second arm coupled with the frame to move along the second rail.

32. The exercise device of claim 31, further comprising:

a third release mechanism, different from the first release mechanism, operably coupled with the fifth securing mechanism and adapted to activate the fifth securing mechanism independently of the first and second securing mechanisms to move the first arm to adjust the fifth position of the first arm relative to the frame without moving the first arm about the first and second axes of rotation; and

a fourth release mechanism, different from the second release mechanism, operably coupled with the sixth securing mechanism and adapted to activate the sixth securing mechanism independently of the third and fourth securing mechanisms to move the second arm to adjust the sixth position of the second arm relative to the frame without moving the second arm about the third and fourth axes of rotation.

33. The exercise device of claim 31, wherein the first rail comprises a first upright member of the frame and the second rail comprises a second upright member of the frame.

34. The exercise device of claim 33, further comprising:

a third release mechanism, different from the first release mechanism, operably coupled with the fifth securing mechanism and adapted to activate the fifth securing mechanism independently of the first and second securing mechanisms to move the first arm to adjust the fifth position of the first arm relative to the frame without moving the first arm about the first and second axes of rotation; and

a fourth release mechanism, different from the second release mechanism, operably coupled with the sixth securing mechanism and adapted to activate the sixth securing mechanism independently of the third and fourth securing mechanisms to move the second arm to adjust the sixth position of the second arm relative to the frame without moving the second arm about the third and fourth axes of rotation.