Apparatus and methods for adjustable supports for exercise machines

• US 7,922,631 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2004
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vectra Fitness
• Original Assignee: Vectra Fitness
• Inventors: Ish, A. Buell III
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan
• Assistant Examiner(s): GINSBERG, OREN ISAAC
• Application Number:
  US10/913,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20060030462A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,441 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1, 482/4, 482/93, 482/94, 482/98, 482/99, 482/102, 482/103, 482/138, 482/908, 482/92, 482/97, 482100-101
• US Class Current: 482/103
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00 Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0632 the weights being lifted by rigid means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height

Abstract

Adjustable supports for exercise machines are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exercise machine includes a load, a force-transferring assembly operatively coupled to the load, a support frame operatively coupled to the force-transferring assembly, and an exercise station coupled to the force-transferring assembly proximate a support member of the support frame. The support member is operatively coupled to an upright member of the support frame by an adjustment assembly. The adjustment assembly is adjustable to enable the support member to project from the upright member at a plurality of support positions such that the exercise station is correspondingly adjustable over a plurality of vertical positions. In some embodiments, the support member is pivotable relative to the upright member. Alternately, slideable members may allow the support member to be selectively retracted and extended to provide the desired vertical position adjustment.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising:

a load;

a force-transferring assembly operatively coupled to the load, the force-transferring assembly including at least one pulley;

a support frame operatively coupled to the force-transferring assembly and including an upright member and a support member projecting outwardly from the upright member, the support member having a proximal end portion that is proximate the upright member and a distal end portion that is distal from the upright member, at least part of the force-transferring assembly being coupled to the support member at a location distally-spaced from the upright member; and

an exercise station coupled to the force-transferring assembly proximate the support member of the support frame, wherein the support member is operatively coupled to the upright member of the support frame by an adjustment assembly, the adjustment assembly being configured to maintain the support member in a fixed position during use of the exercise station, and being adjustable to enable the support member to project from the upright member at a plurality of support positions such that the exercise station is correspondingly adjustable over a plurality of vertical positions when the exercise station is not in use, and wherein the adjustment assembly includes;

a pivot member at least partially disposed through a first portion of the support member between the proximal and distal end portions and at least partially disposed through the upright member, the pivot member pivotably coupling the outwardly-projecting support member to the upright member and rotatably supporting the at least one pulley of the force-transferring assembly; and

a threaded member at least partially disposed through the support member at a location spaced apart from the pivot member toward the proximal end portion of the support member, the threaded member being threadedly engaged through a threaded portion coupled to the upright member, the threaded member being configured such that when rotated in a first direction the support member is pivoted in a first pivot direction and the exercise station is raised, and when rotated in a second direction the support member is pivoted in a second pivot direction and the exercise station is lowered.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the upright member comprises a substantially hollow portion, the adjustment assembly and the at least one pulley being substantially enclosed within the substantially hollow portion.

3. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the force-transferring assembly comprises a cable-and-pulley assembly having at least one cable coupled to the exercise station.

4. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the force-transferring assembly includes a first cable coupled to the load and a second cable operatively coupled to the first cable by a double floating pulley, and wherein the exercise station is coupled to the second cable.

5. The exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the at least one pulley comprises a first pulley and a second pulley, the first pulley being rotatably supported by the pivot member and substantially enclosed within the substantially hollow portion of the upright member, the second pulley being rotatably coupled to the support member proximate the distal end portion of the support member, and wherein the force-transferring assembly includes a cable operatively engaged with the first and second pulleys and coupled to the exercise station proximate the distal end portion of the support member.

6. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the at least part of the force-transferring assembly coupled to the support member at a location distally-spaced from the upright member includes a pulley coupled to a distal portion of the support member, and a cable operatively engaged with the pulley.

7. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the exercise station comprises a high pull station.

8. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the force-transferring assembly includes a guide pulley, the guide pulley being coupled to the support member of the support frame.

9. An exercise machine, comprising:

a load;

a force-transferring assembly operatively coupled to the load, the force-transferring assembly including at least one pulley;

a support frame operatively coupled to the force-transferring assembly and having a support member pivotably coupled to an upright member by an adjustment assembly, the support member projecting outwardly from the upright member and having a proximal end portion that is proximate the upright member and a distal end portion that is distal from the upright member, at least part of the force-transferring assembly being coupled to the support member at a location distally-spaced from the upright member; and

an exercise station coupled to the force-transferring assembly proximate the support member, wherein the adjustment assembly is configured to maintain the support member in a fixed position during use of the exercise station, and to enable adjustment of a projection angle of the support member relative to the upright member when the exercise station is not in use such that the exercise station is correspondingly adjustable over a plurality of vertical positions, and wherein the adjustment assembly includes;

a pivot member at least partially disposed through a first portion of the support member between the proximal and distal end portions and at least partially disposed through the upright member, the pivot member pivotably coupling the outwardly-projecting support member to the upright member and rotatably supporting the at least one pulley of the force-transferring assembly; and

a threaded member at least partially disposed through the support member at a location spaced apart from the pivot member toward the proximal end portion of the support member, the threaded member being threadedly engaged through a threaded portion coupled to the upright member, the threaded member being configured such that when rotated in a first direction the support member is pivoted in a first pivot direction and the exercise station is raised, and when rotated in a second direction the support member is pivoted in a second pivot direction and the exercise station is lowered.

10. The exercise machine of claim 9, wherein the force-transferring assembly includes a first cable coupled to the load and a second cable operatively coupled to the first cable by a double floating pulley, and wherein the exercise station is coupled to the second cable.

11. The exercise machine of claim 9, wherein the force-transferring assembly includes a guide pulley coupled to the support member and a cable engaged onto the guide pulley, and wherein the exercise station is coupled to the cable.

12. The exercise machine of claim 9, wherein the upright member comprises a substantially hollow portion, the adjustment assembly and the at least one pulley being substantially enclosed within the substantially hollow portion.

13. The exercise machine of claim 9, wherein the at least part of the force-transferring assembly coupled to the support member at a location distally-spaced from the upright member includes a pulley coupled to a distal portion of the support member, and a cable operatively engaged with the pulley.

14. The exercise machine of claim 12, wherein the at least one pulley comprises a first pulley and a second pulley, the first pulley being rotatably supported by the pivot member and substantially enclosed within the substantially hollow portion of the upright member, the second pulley being rotatably coupled to the support member proximate the distal end portion of the support member, and wherein the force-transferring assembly includes a cable operatively engaged with the first and second pulleys and coupled to the exercise station proximate the distal end portion of the support member.

15. A method of exercising using an exercise machine, comprising:

providing an exercise station operatively coupled by a force-transferring assembly to a load, the force-transferring assembly including at least one pulley, the exercise station being positioned proximate a support member coupled to an upright member of a support frame by an adjustment assembly configured to maintain the support member in a fixed position during use of the exercise station, and to enable adjustment of a position of the support member relative to the upright member such that the exercise station is correspondingly adjustable over a plurality of vertical positions when the exercise station is not in use, the support member having a proximal end portion that is proximate the upright member and a distal end portion that is distal from the upright member, at least part of the force-transferring assembly being coupled to the support member at a location distally-spaced from the upright member, and wherein the adjustment assembly includes;

a pivot member at least partially disposed through a first portion of the support member between the proximal and distal end portions and at least partially disposed through the upright member, the pivot member pivotably coupling the outwardly-projecting support member to the upright member and rotatably supporting the at least one pulley of the force-transferring assembly; and

a threaded member at least partially disposed through the support member at a location spaced apart from the pivot member toward the proximal end portion of the support member, the threaded member being threadedly engaged through a threaded portion coupled to the upright member;

with the exercise station not in use, varying a vertical height of the exercise station by adjusting the support member with respect to the upright member using the adjustment assembly, including at least one of rotating the threaded member in a first direction to raise the exercise station, or rotating the threaded member in a second direction to lower the exercise station;

maintaining the support member in a fixed position using the adjustment assembly; and

with the support member maintained in the fixed position by the adjustment assembly, exerting an exercising force on the exercise station.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein varying a vertical height of the exercise station by adjusting the support member with respect to the upright member includes varying a vertical height of the exercise station by pivoting the support member with respect to the upright member.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein providing an exercise station operatively coupled by a force-transferring assembly to a load includes:

providing an exercise station operatively coupled by a force-transferring assembly having a pulley coupled to a distal portion of the support member, and a cable operatively engaged with the pulley and extending between the exercise station and the load.