Exercise device with centrally mounted resistance rod

• US 20030232707A1
• Filed: 06/14/2002
• Published: 12/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Original Assignee: Icon-Ip Pty Limited
• Inventors: Dalebout, William T., Olson, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,250,022 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/123
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/026 Bars; Tubes; Leaf springs A63B21/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/045 having torsion or bending or flexion element

Abstract

An exercise machine has resilient elongate members for providing balanced resistance in the form of elongate resilient members oriented horizontally such that the intermediate portion of the elongate members contact a fulcrum of the exercise machine. The user adjusts the amount of resistance provided by capturing different combinations and numbers of resilient elongate members. A cable and pulley system ensures a long stroke so that the use can perform a wide variety of exercises in comfortable positions.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support assembly;

at least one resilient elongate member having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, wherein the intermediate portion is positioned on the support assembly; and

a cable and pulley system coupled to the support assembly and the at least one resilient elongate member, the cable and pulley system having at least one cable adapted to be moved by the user.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the support assembly comprises a fulcrum, the intermediate portion of the elongate member being positioned thereon.

3. The exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the fulcrum is movably coupled to a frame such that the resilient elongate member is selectively movable between a storage position and a use position.

4. The exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the fulcrum is non-integrally coupled to a frame.

5. The exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the fulcrum is integrally coupled to a frame.

6. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one resilient elongate member provides resistance to movement of a cable of the cable and pulley system.

7. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the exercise machine comprises a plurality of elongate members and wherein the amount of resistance provided by each resilient elongate member corresponds with the diameter of the resilient elongate member.

8. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising at least one capture device, the at least one capture device including a substantially horizontally oriented capture member that extends from the main body and is configured to capture at least one resilient elongate member.

9. The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the at least one capture device is coupled to a first resilient elongate member, and wherein the capture device is configured to capture a second resilient elongate member.

10. The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the at least one capture device further comprises a second capture member that extends from the main body and is configured to capture at least one resilient elongate member.

11. The exercise machine of claim 10, wherein the second resilient elongate member can be captured with the at least one capture device using one hand.

12. The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the at least one capture device is configured to be coupled to at least one pulley.

13. The exercise machine of claim 13, wherein the second resilient elongate member is captured by positioning the second resilient elongate member under the at least one capture device and then releasing the second resilient elongate member.

14. An exercise machine comprising:

a support assembly;

at least one resilient elongate member having (i) a first end, (ii) a second end, and (iii) an intermediate portion, the at least one resilient elongate member positioned on the support assembly;

a cable and pulley system having at least one cable adapted to be moved by the user against the resistance of the at least one resilient elongate member, the cable having a first end and a second end,

the at least one resilient elongate member and the cable and pulley system being configured such that movement of the first end of the cable causes movement of both ends of the at least one resilient elongate member.

15. The exercise machine of claim 14 wherein movement of both the first and second end of the cable causes movement of both ends of the least one resilient elongate member.

16. The exercise machine of claim 14, wherein the cable and pulley system is selectively coupled to the support assembly and/or the at least one resilient elongate member.

17. An exercise machine as recited in claim 14, wherein t he cable and pulley system comprises a first pulley and a second pulley, the first pulley being coupled to the first end of the at least one resilient elongate member, and the second pulley being coupled to the second end of the at least one resilient elongate member.

18. A machine as recited in claim 17, wherein the cable has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, the intermediate portion being movably coupled to the first and second pulleys.

19. An exercise machine comprising:

a support assembly;

at least one resilient elongate member having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, the at least one resilient elongate member positioned on the support assembly;

a cable and pulley system having at least one cable adapted to be moved by the user against the resistance of the at least one resilient elongate member, the cable having a first end and a second end,

wherein resistance to movement experienced at the first end of the cable is equal to the resistance to movement experienced at the second end of the cable.

20. An exercise machine as recited in claim 19, wherein:

the movement of the first end of the at least one resilient elongate member is in inverse proportion to its resistive force;

the movement of the second end of the at least one resilient elongate member is in inverse proportion to its resistive force; and

the ratio of movement of the first end of the at least one resilient elongate member to movement of the second end of the at least one resilient elongate member is in inverse proportion to the ratio of the resistive force of the first end of the at least one resilient elongate member to the resistive force of the second end of the at least one resilient elongate member.

21. The exercise machine of claim 20, wherein the resistive force of the first end of the at least one resilient elongate member is equal to the resistive force of the second end of the at least one resilient elongate member.

22. The exercise machine of claim 19, wherein the resistance experienced at each end of the cable when force is simultaneously exerted at both ends of the cable is greater than the resistance experienced at the first end of the cable when force is exerted at the first end alone.

23. An exercise machine comprising:

a support assembly;

at least one resilient elongate member having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, the at least one resilient elongate member being positioned on the support assembly;

a cable and pulley system coupled to the support assembly and the at least one resilient elongate member, the cable and pulley system having at least one cable adapted to be moved by the user against the resistance of the at least one resilient elongate member, the cable having a first end and a second end,

wherein the total resistance experienced when force is simultaneously exerted at both ends of the cable is greater than the resistance experienced at the first end of the cable when force is exerted at the first end of the cable alone.

24. An exercise machine as recited in claim 23, wherein the total resistance experienced when force is simultaneously exerted at both ends of the cable is approximately twice the resistance experienced at the first end of the cable when force is exerted at the first end alone.

25. An exercise machine comprising:

a support assembly;

at least one resilient elongate member positioned on the support assembly, the at least one resilient elongate member having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion;

a cable and pulley system coupled to the support assembly and the at least one resilient elongate member, the cable and pulley system having at least one cable adapted to be moved by the user against the resistance of the at least one resilient elongate member, the cable having first and second ends;

wherein the amount of displacement of the cable first end is greater than the total amount of displacement of the first end and the second end of the at least one resilient elongate member when the user moves the cable first end to displace the first end and second end of the at least one resilient elongate member.

26. An exercise machine as recited in claim 25, wherein the cable and pulley system comprises first and second pulleys, the first pulley being coupled to the first end of the at least one resilient elongate member, and the second pulley being coupled to the second end of the at least one resilient elongate member.

27. A machine as recited in claim 26, wherein the intermediate portion of the cable is movably coupled to the first pulley and the second pulley.

28. The exercise machine of claim 25, wherein the total amount of displacement of the cable first end and second end is greater than the total amount of displacement of the first end and second end of the resilient elongate member when the user moves the cable first end and second end to displace the first end and second end of the at least one resilient elongate member.

29. A machine as recited in claim 28, wherein the total amount of displacement of the cable first end and second end is approximately double the total amount of displacement of the first end and second end of the resilient elongate member when the user moves the cable first end and second end to displace the first end and second end of the at least one resilient elongate member.

30. An exercise machine, comprising:

a frame;

at least one resilient member having a plurality of resilient elongate fingers, the resilient member having (i) opposing first and seconds ends; and

(ii) an intermediate portion, the resilient member coupled to the frame such that the first and second ends extend away from the intermediate portion of the resilient member; and

a cable and pulley system coupled to the frame and the resilient member, the cable and pulley system having at least one cable adapted to be moved by the user against the resistance of the resilient elongate fingers.

31. A machine as recited in claim 30, wherein the resilient elongate fingers are positioned such that downward movement of the first and second ends of the resilient elongate fingers is resisted.

32. A machine as recited in claim 30, wherein the resilient member comprises an intermediate portion having a plurality of elongate fingers extending from one end thereof and a plurality of elongate fingers extending away from an opposing end thereof, the intermediate portion being coupled to the frame.

33. A machine as recited in claim 30, wherein the cable and pulley system comprises first and second pulleys, the first pulley being coupled to the first end of the at least one resilient elongate member, and the second pulley being coupled to the second end of the at least one resilient elongate member.

34. A machine as recited in claim 33, wherein the cable of the cable and pulley system has a firs end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, the intermediate portion being movably coupled to the first and second pulleys.

35. An exercise machine that utilizes resilient elongate members to provide resistance for the user to exercise against, comprising:

a support assembly having a fulcrum;

first and second resilient elongate members, each of the resilient elongate members having a first end, a second end, and intermediate portion, wherein the first and second resilient elongate members are positioned on the fulcrum;

a cable and pulley system coupled to the support assembly and the resilient elongate members, the cable and pulley system having at least one cable adapted to be moved by the user against the resistance of the resilient elongate members; and

at least one capture device coupled to the first resilient elongate member, the capture device having at least one substantially horizontally oriented capture member, the capture member being configured to capture the second resilient elongate member.

36. An exercise machine recited in claim 35, wherein the capture device comprises a main body and a substantially horizontally oriented capture member extending therefrom, the main body being coupled to the first resilient elongate member, the capture member extending in a substantially horizontal direction from the main body.

37. An exercise machine recited in claim 35, wherein the second resilient elongate member can be captured with the at least capture device using one hand.

38. An exercise machine recited in claim 37, wherein the second resilient elongate member can be captured by pressing the second resilient elongate member under the at least one capture device and then releasing the second resilient elongate member.

39. A foldable exercise machine that can be conveniently stored, the exercise machine comprising:

a frame;

a fulcrum coupled to the frame;

at least one resilient elongate member positioned on the fulcrum, the elongate member having (i) a first end, (ii) a second end, and (iii) an intermediate portion,

wherein the at least one resilient elongate member is rotatable with respect to the frame; and

a cable and pulley system coupled to the frame and the at least one resilient elongate member, the cable and pulley system having at least one cable adapted to be moved by the user against the resistance of the at least one resilient elongate member.

40. The exercise machine of claim 39, wherein the at least one resilient elongate member is rotatable between a first position and a second position.

41. The exercise machine of claim 40, wherein the first position comprises a substantially horizontally oriented use position while the second position comprises a substantially vertically oriented storage position.

42. An exercise machine that can be conveniently stored, comprising:

a support assembly; and

at least one flexible, resilient elongate member adapted to provide resistance, the elongate member having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, wherein the resilient elongate member is positioned on the support assembly and wherein the at least one resilient elongate member is movable such that the resilient elongate member can be moved from a use position to a storage position.

43. The exercise machine of claim 42, wherein the at least one resilient elongate member comprises a plurality of resilient elongate members.

44. The exercise machine of claim 43, wherein the plurality of resilient elongate members are rotatable into a storage position.

45. The exercise machine of claim 44, wherein the fulcrum includes a movable apparatus.

46. The exercise machine of claim 44, wherein the movable apparatus of the fulcrum is rotatable such that rotation of the movable apparatus rotates the plurality of resilient elongate members into a storage position.

47. The exercise machine of claim 42, further comprising a bench.

48. The exercise machine of claim 47, wherein the bench is movable into a storage position.

49. The exercise machine of claim 47, wherein the bench is foldable into a storage position.

50. An exercise machine comprising:

a support assembly;

at least one resilient elongate member coupled to the support assembly, the at least one resilient elongate member adapted to provide a resistance for exercise;

a cable and pulley system adapted to convey resistance provided by the resilient elongate members, wherein one or more cables of the cable and pulley system are adapted to be coupled to a first and second point of resistance provided by the one or more resilient elongate members; and

first and second grip members adapted to permit a user to utilize the resistance conveyed by the cable and pulley system, wherein an equal amount of resistance is provided at the first and second grip members when unequal amount of resistance is provided at the first and second point of resistance.

51. The exercise machine of claim 50, wherein an equal amount of resistance is provided at the first and second grip members when an equal, or unequal, amount resistance is provided at the first and second point of resistance provided by the resilient elongate members;

52. The exercise machine of claim 50, wherein the at least one resilient elongate member has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, the intermediate portion configured to be in contact with a fulcrum of the exercise machine.

53. The exercise machine of claim 50, wherein the at least one resilient elongate member comprises a plurality of resilient elongate members.

54. The exercise machine of claim 53, wherein the first point of resistance corresponds with the first end of the plurality of resilient elongate members and the second point of resistance corresponds with the second end of the plurality of resilient elongate members.

55. The exercise machine of claim 55, wherein the amount of resistance provided by the plurality of resilient elongate members is variable due to the number and configuration of resilient elongate members coupled to the cable and pulley system.

56. The exercise machine of claim 55, wherein the one or more cables of the cable and pulley system comprises a single cable having a first end adapted to be selectively coupled to the first end of the plurality of resilient elongate members and a second end adapted to be selectivley coupled to the second end of the plurality of resilient elongate members.

57. The exercise machine of claim 56, wherein an equal amount of resistance is provided at the first and second grip members when an unequal number of resilient elongate members are coupled the first and second ends of the cable of the cable and pulley system.

58. The exercise machine of claim 57, wherein the at least one resilient elongate member comprises a plurality of resilient elongate members having a single end adapted to be directly or indirectly coupled to the cable and pulley system.

59. An exercise machine on which a user can exercise against the resistance of a flexible, resilient, elongate member, the exercise machine comprising:

at least one flexible, resilient elongate member having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion,

a framework configured to maintain the at least one flexible, resilient elongate member above a support surface, wherein the intermediate portion is positioned on the framework such that the framework supports the intermediate portion as at least one of the first and second ends of the flexible, resilient elongate member is moved; and

a cable and pulley system having at least one cable adapted to be moved by the user against the resistance of the at least one flexible, resilient elongate member, the cable having a first end and a second end, wherein the movement of at least one end of the cable causes at least one end of the at least one flexible, resilient elongate member to move, thereby providing resistance to the exercise movement of the user.

60. A machine as recited in claim 59, wherein the framework comprises an upstanding post and a base member coupled to the post.

61. A machine as recited in claim 60, wherein the intermediate portion of the elongate member is positioned on a fulcrum coupled to the post.