Exercise apparatus

• US 20020039954A1
• Filed: 12/06/2001
• Published: 04/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Original Assignee: FreeMotion Fitness (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Simonson, Roy
• Granted Patent: US 6,712,740 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/99
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• 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 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/035 for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously

Abstract

An exercise apparatus is disclosed including a base structure having a central support member with a first end and a second end to which a vertically oriented resistance assembly is secured. The apparatus also includes a cable having a first strand and a second strand. The cable links a user to the resistance assembly for the application of resistance as the user moves through an exercise routine. The first and second strands exit the resistance assembly at a position adjacent an upper end of the resistance assembly for engagement by the user at a position above the shoulders of the user. The apparatus further includes a user support structure having an upwardly extending support post. The support post includes a first end secured to the central support member and a second end. The support post further includes a rearward side facing away from the weight stack upon which is mounted a user support pad shaped and dimensioned for supporting a user'"'"'s back as the user stands facing away from the resistance during an exercise routine. A family of exercise apparatuses is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A family of single-use exercise apparatuses designed to target a variety of muscle groups, comprising:

a variety of distinct exercise apparatuses utilizing a substantially identical base structure, the base structure comprising;

a central support member having a first end to which a user support structure is secured and a second end to which a weight stack is secured, wherein the weight stack is actuated by a cable secured thereto for movement by an individual using a distinct exercise apparatus;

each distinct exercise apparatus further including first and second fixed lateral support sleeves secured to the base structure for directing opposite strands of the cable to a predetermined position for engagement by a user.

2. The family of exercise apparatuses according to claim 1, wherein the central support member is a tubular member through which the cable passes to facilitate the adaptation of the base structure for targeting various body parts.

3. The family of exercise apparatuses according to claim 1, wherein the weight stack includes vertical support members aligning and supporting a stack of weight plates to be moved via a pulley system.

4. The family of exercise apparatuses according to claim 1, wherein the weight stack is actuated via a single cable.

5. The family of exercise apparatuses according to claim 4, wherein a central portion of the cable is passed through a first pulley directly coupled to the stack of weight plates and opposite strands of the cable then respectively extend over first and second upper pulleys before passing over first and second lower pulleys.

6. The family of exercise apparatuses according to claim 1, wherein at least one distinct exercise apparatus includes the first and second support sleeves directly secured to the user support structure.

7. The family of exercise apparatuses according to claim 6, wherein the at least one distinct exercise apparatus includes first and second support sleeves positioned for exercising the chest of an individual.

8. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a base structure including a central support member having a first end to which a user support structure is secured and a second end to which a weight stack is secured, wherein the weight stack is actuated by a cable secured thereto for movement by an individual using the exercise apparatus;

first and second lateral support sleeves selectively secured to the base structure for directing opposite strands of the cable to a predetermined position for engagement by a user;

the central support member defining a passageway through which the cable passes before passing through the respective first and second lateral support sleeves to facilitate positioning of the opposite strands for engagement by a user.

9. The exercise apparatus according to claim 8, the weight stack includes vertical support members aligning and supporting a stack of weight plates to be moved via a pulley system.

10. The exercise apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the weight stack is actuated via a single cable.

11. The exercise apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a central portion of the cable is passed through a first pulley directly coupled to the stack of weight plates and opposite strands of the cable then respectively extend over first and second upper pulleys before passing over first and second lower pulleys.

12. The exercise apparatus according to claim 8, the first and second support sleeves are directly secured to the user support structure.

13. The exercise apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first and second support sleeves are positioned for exercising the chest of an individual.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the central support member is a tubular member through which the cable passes to facilitate the adaptation of the base structure for targeting various body parts.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first and second support sleeves are directly secured to the user support structure to create at least one distinct exercise apparatus.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the first and second support sleeves are positioned for exercising the chest of an individual.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the weight stack is actuated via a single cable.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein a central portion of the cable is passed through a first pulley directly coupled to the stack of weight plates and opposite strands of the cable then respectively extend over first and second upper pulleys before passing over first and second lower pulleys.

14. A method for manufacturing a family of single-use exercise apparatuses designed to target a variety of muscle groups, comprising the following steps:

creating a base structure dimensioned for use in the development of a variety of distinct exercise apparatuses designed to target different muscle groups, the base structure including a central support member having a first end to which a user support structure is secured and a second end to which a weight stack is secured, wherein the weight stack is actuated by a cable secured thereto for movement by an individual using a distinct exercise apparatus;

selectively securing first and second lateral fixed support sleeves to the base structure at distinct positions for directing opposite strands of the cable to predetermined positions for engagement by a user to perform various exercises targeting different muscle groups.