Exercise resistance methods and apparatus

• US 20030153439A1
• Filed: 03/07/2003
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark Krull
• Original Assignee: Mark Krull
• Inventors: Krull, Mark A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,902,516 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/99
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00065 by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/063 Weight selecting means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/075 with variable weights , e.g. weight systems with weight selecting means for bar-bells or dumb-bells

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes a vertical stack of weights, including a top plate, and at least one additional weight disposed adjacent the top plate. The additional weight may be a plate having a height, a width, and a thickness that is smaller than the width and smaller than the height, and arranged so that its thickness extends horizontally toward the stack of weights, and/or multiple additional weights may be arranged to define a horizontal array on at least one side of the stack of weights. The additional weight(s) may be movably mounted on the frame for movement along a path defined by interfaces between opposite outer surfaces of the weight(s) and respective guide surfaces on the frame. A selector rod may be movably mounted on the top plate for movement into and out of engagement with one or more of the additional weights, and/or arranged to define a longitudinal axis that extends through all of the additional weights and perpendicular to the stack of weights. A user operated member may be rotatably mounted on the top plate and linked to the selector rod.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a frame adapted to rest on a floor surface;

a top plate and a plurality of first weights arranged into a vertical stack and movably mounted on the frame for movement along a path defined by the frame;

at least one second weight configured as a plate having a height, a width, and a thickness that is smaller than the width and smaller than the height, wherein the at least one second weight is disposed adjacent the top plate and arranged so that its thickness extends horizontally toward the stack; and

a selector rod movably mounted on the top plate for movement between a first position disposed outside a planform defined by the at least one second weight, and a second position underlying at least a portion of the at least one second weight.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one second weight includes two second weights disposed horizontally adjacent one another.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the selector rod is movable to the second position to underlie only one of the second weights, and the selector rod is movable to a third position underlying both of the second weights.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thickness is measured between opposite outer surfaces of the plate, and the outer surfaces are configured and arranged to contact respective guide members on the frame.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a user operated member rotatably mounted on the top plate and linked to the selector rod, wherein rotation of the user operated member in a first direction causes the selector rod to move to the first position, and rotation of the user operated member in an opposite, second direction causes the selector rod to move to the second position.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each said second weight weighs less than each of the first weights.

7. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a frame adapted to rest on a floor surface;

a top plate and a plurality of primary weights arranged into a vertical stack and movably mounted on the frame for movement along a path defined by the frame;

a first selector rod configured and arranged to selectively engage the first weights;

a plurality of supplemental weights arranged into a horizontal array on at least one side of the first weights; and

at least one second selector rod movably mounted on the top plate for movement into and out of engagement with more than one of the supplemental weights.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the supplemental weights weighs less than each of the primary weights.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein a user operated member is rotatably mounted on the top plate and linked to the at least one selector rod.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, wherein rotation of the user operated member in a first rotational direction is linked to linear movement of the at least one selector rod in a first horizontal direction, and rotation of the user operated member in an opposite, second rotational direction is linked to linear movement of the at least one selector rod in an opposite, second horizontal direction.

11. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a frame adapted to rest on a floor surface;

a top plate and a plurality of first weights arranged into a stack and movably mounted on the frame for movement along a first path defined by the frame;

a first selector rod configured and arranged to selectively engage the first weights, and to define a longitudinal axis that extends through all of the first weights;

a plurality of second weights movably mounted on the frame; and

a second selector rod movably mounted on the top plate, and configured and arranged to selectively engage the second weights, and to define a longitudinal axis that extends through all of the second weights and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first selector rod.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein a user operated member is rotated mounted on the top plate and linked to the second selector rod.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 12, wherein rotation of the user operated member in a first direction is linked to movement of the second selector rod into engagement with relatively more of the second weights, and rotation of the user operated member in an opposite, second direction is linked to movement of the second selector rod into engagement with relatively fewer of the second weights.

14. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second weights are movably mounted on the frame for movement parallel to the path of the first weights.

15. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first selector rod extends parallel to the path.

16. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second selector rod extends perpendicular to the path.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein each of the second weights weighs less than each of the first weights.

18. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a frame adapted to rest on a floor surface;

a top plate and a plurality of primary weights arranged into a vertical stack and movably mounted on the frame for movement along a path defined by the frame;

at least one supplemental weight disposed adjacent the vertical stack;

a selector rod movably mounted on the top plate for movement into and out of engagement with the at least one supplemental weight; and

a user operated member rotatably mounted on the top plate and linked to the selector rod.

19. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a frame adapted to rest on a floor surface;

a top plate and a plurality of first weights arranged into a vertical stack and movably mounted on the frame for movement along a first path defined by the frame;

at least one second weight having a thickness defined between opposite outer surfaces, wherein the at least one second weight is movably mounted on the frame for movement along a second path defined by interfaces between the outer surfaces and respective guide surfaces on the frame; and

a selector rod movably mounted on the top plate for movement between a first position disposed outside a planform defined by the at least one second weight, and a second position underlying at least a portion of the at least one second weight.

20. The exercise apparatus of claim 19, wherein a shock absorbing platform is mounted on the frame to define a lower end of the second path.