Rowing weight training machine

• US 20020187879A1
• Filed: 06/21/2001
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus Human Performance Systems
• Inventors: Webb, Gregory M., Ball, Benjamin
• Granted Patent: US 6,830,542 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/72
• 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 21/159 Using levers for transmitting forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• 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 21/4049 Rotational movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• 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 23/03533 With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously

Abstract

A rowing weight training machine includes: a frame; a seat assembly attached to the frame; a movement arm pivotally attached to the frame and movable along a generally longitudinal stroke path between a forward position and a rearward position; a resistance-imparting unit operatively connected with the movement arm to provide resistance to the movement arm as it moves from the forward position to the rearward position; a pair of handles to be grasped by an exerciser; and a pair of extension members, each of which is attached to a respective handle such that each handle is free to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the extension member. The extension members are attached to the movement arm (preferably via a universal ball joint) such that each extension member is free to at least partially rotate relative to the movement arm about vertical, longitudinal and transverse axes. Also, the extension members are of sufficient length and the extension members are attached to the movement arm so that the handles can be separated by a distance of at least 24 inches when the movement arm is in the rearward position. In this configuration, the exerciser has the option of performing the basic rowing motion with the hands in any orientation, and can pull the handles along multiple vertical planes to multiple positions in front of the chest and shoulders or outside the chest and shoulders.

Claims

1. An exercise machine that simulates a rowing motion, comprising:

a frame;

a seat assembly attached to the frame;

a movement arm pivotally attached to the frame and movable along a generally longitudinal stroke path between a forward position and a rearward position;

a resistance-imparting unit operatively connected with the movement arm to provide resistance to the movement arm as it moves from the forward position to the rearward position;

a pair of handles to be grasped by an exerciser;

a pair of extension members, each of which is attached to a respective handle such that each handle is free to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the extension member;

wherein the extension members are attached to the movement arm such that each extension member is free to at least partially rotate relative to the movement arm about vertical, longitudinal and transverse axes; and

wherein the extension members are of sufficient length and the extension members are attached to the movement arm so that the handles can be separated by a distance of at least 24 inches when the movement arm is in the rearward position.

2. The exercise machine defined in claim 1, wherein the resistance-imparting unit comprises a weight stack.

3. The exercise machine defined in claim 1, wherein the extension members have a length between about 8 and 48 inches.

4. The exercise machine defined in claim 1, wherein each of the extension members is attached to the movement arm via a ball joint.

5. The exercise machine defined in claim 1, wherein each handle is attached to its respective extension member via a rotary bearing.

6. The exercise machine defined in claim 1, further comprising a unit that varies the resistance imparted to the exerciser by the resistance-imparting unit along the stroke path.

7. The exercise machine defined in claim 6, wherein the unit that varies resistance comprises a four-bar linkage that includes the movement arm.

8. The exercise machine defined in claim 7, wherein the four bar linkage includes a swing link pivotally interconnected to the frame.

9. The exercise machine defined in claim 8, wherein the resistance-imparting unit is a weight stack, and wherein the weight stack is interconnected with the movement arm via a belt, and wherein a pulley that engages the belt is attached to the swing link.

10. An exercise machine that simulates a rowing motion, comprising:

a frame;

a seat assembly attached to the frame;

a movement arm pivotally attached to the frame and movable along a generally longitudinal stroke path between a forward position and a rearward position;

a resistance-imparting unit operatively connected with the movement arm to provide resistance to the movement arm as it moves from the forward position to the rearward position;

a pair of handles to be grasped by an exerciser;

a pair of extension members, each of which is attached to a respective handle such that each handle is free to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the extension member;

wherein the extension members are attached to the movement arm such that each extension member is free to at least partially rotate relative to the movement arm about vertical, longitudinal and transverse axes; and

wherein a distance between the attachment of each extension member with the movement arm and the attachment of each extension member with its respective handle is between about 8 and 48 inches.

11. The exercise machine defined in claim 10, wherein each of the extension members is attached to the movement arm via a universal ball joint.

12. The exercise machine defined in claim 10, wherein each handle is attached to its respective extension member via a sleeve bearing.

13. The exercise machine defined in claim 10, further comprising a unit that varies the resistance imparted to the exerciser by the resistance-imparting unit along the stroke path.

14. The exercise machine defined in claim 13, wherein the unit that varies resistance comprises a four-bar linkage that includes the movement arm.

15. The exercise machine defined in claim 14, wherein the four bar linkage includes a swing link pivotally interconnected to the frame.

16. The exercise machine defined in claim 15, wherein the resistance-imparting unit is a weight stack, and wherein the weight stack is interconnected with the movement arm via a belt, and wherein a pulley that engages the belt is attached to the swing link.